Rethinking Demand Planning Masterclass [Episode 7] Medium Forecastability

In Episode 7 of Rethinking Demand Planning, we tackle the medium forecastability demand flow—products with a COV between 0.3 and 0.7. These items often fall into a grey zone where demand is inconsistent, and traditional forecasting methods fall short.

To unlock value in this segment, we walk through 4 critical steps to improve forecast accuracy and demand signal clarity:

1. Data Correction – Identify stockouts, zero sales, and cut quantities to clean historical noise.
2. Pattern Recognition – Step back from SKU-level chaos to uncover stability at higher demand hierarchies.
3. Finding Drivers – Add missing dimensions like weather, calendar events, and market data to explain volatility.
4. Lifecycle Management – Use lifecycle shift detection and transition mapping for better NPI and end-of-life handling.

With the help of machine learning and o9’s exploratory data analysis, you can drive a 4–7% improvement in FVA and bring greater control to unpredictable demand.

Up Next: Low Forecastability – Managing the Unpredictable