Knowledge Library
200+ Topics on Supply Chain Planning
A structured reference covering IBP architecture, planning data models, forecasting concepts, S&OP frameworks, and inventory optimization. Organized by category for planning professionals.
IBP System Architecture Overview
How IBP is structured as an in-memory planning platform on SAP BTP with HANA Cloud.
IBP Planning Operator Framework
How planning operators execute calculations across key figures in the planning model.
IBP Supply Chain Network Model
Representing multi-echelon supply chain networks as nodes, lanes, and locations in IBP.
IBP Master Data Architecture
Product master, location master, and customer master structures required for IBP planning.
IBP for Demand — Module Architecture
Technical architecture of IBP Demand Planning including algorithms, key figures, and planning levels.
IBP for Supply — Module Architecture
Constraint-based supply planning engine, heuristics vs optimization, and supply plan outputs.
IBP Control Tower Architecture
Real-time exception management, alert configuration, and KPI monitoring in Control Tower.
IBP Fiori Application Architecture
How IBP Fiori apps are structured and how they connect to the planning backend.
Planning Area Design Principles
How to design planning areas to balance flexibility, performance, and planning scope.
Planning Level Hierarchy Design
Designing planning level hierarchies for demand, supply, and inventory planning.
Key Figure Configuration in IBP
Types of key figures — input, calculated, statistical — and how to configure them.
Time Profile Design for IBP
Designing time profiles with mixed bucket granularity for different planning horizons.
Version Management in IBP
Using versions for baseline, adjusted, and consensus plans. Version governance and copy logic.
Attribute Mapping and Disaggregation
How attributes enable data aggregation and disaggregation across planning levels.
Planning Book Design in IBP
Designing planning books and data views for demand planners and supply planners.
Proportional Factors in IBP
Using proportional factors to disaggregate higher-level plans to SKU/location level.
Statistical Forecasting Methods in IBP
Exponential smoothing, trend models, seasonal models, and automatic model selection.
Forecast Error Measurement
MAPE, MAD, BIAS — how to measure and interpret forecast accuracy in planning systems.
Consensus Demand Planning Process
The process of building a consensus forecast from statistical, sales, and market inputs.
New Product Introduction Forecasting
Forecasting methods for products with no history — analogies, lifecycle curves, and market intelligence.
Promotional Demand Planning
Modeling promotional lifts, baseline separation, and post-event analysis in IBP.
Seasonal Demand Planning
Handling seasonal patterns with seasonal indices, seasonal adjustment, and history length.
Demand Sensing Concepts
How demand sensing uses short-term signals (POS, orders) to adjust near-term forecasts daily.
Machine Learning in IBP Forecasting
Where ML algorithms are applied in IBP and how they compare to classical statistical methods.
S&OP Process Framework
The five-step S&OP process: data gathering, demand review, supply review, pre-S&OP, executive S&OP.
IBP for S&OP — Module Architecture
How IBP S&OP module supports scenario planning, financial integration, and executive review.
Demand Review Meeting Structure
How to structure a demand review meeting in the monthly S&OP cycle.
Supply Review Process Design
Capacity gap analysis, supply scenarios, and supply review meeting structure.
Financial Integration in S&OP
Connecting volume plans to financial impact — revenue, margin, and working capital.
S&OP Maturity Model
Assessing S&OP maturity from reactive to integrated business planning.
Executive S&OP Meeting Design
How to structure the executive S&OP review for decision-making, not reporting.
Scenario Planning in IBP S&OP
Creating and comparing multiple supply-demand scenarios for executive decision support.
Safety Stock Calculation Methods
Statistical safety stock formulas — demand variability, lead time variability, and service levels.
Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization
How IBP IO models inventory across distribution networks to optimize total system inventory.
Service Level Planning Concepts
Cycle service level vs fill rate — understanding the relationship between inventory and service.
Inventory Segmentation (ABC/XYZ)
Using ABC (volume) and XYZ (variability) segmentation to design differentiated inventory policies.
Lead Time Variability in IBP IO
Modeling supplier lead time variability and its impact on safety stock calculations.
Inventory Policy Design
Continuous review vs periodic review policies and how they are modeled in IBP.
S/4HANA to IBP Integration Architecture
CIF, BAdIs, and CIG — understanding the technical integration between S/4HANA and IBP.
IBP Core Interface (CIF) Design
How CIF transfers demand, supply, and master data between S/4HANA and IBP.
SAP Integration Suite for IBP
Using SAP Integration Suite (formerly CPI) for IBP integrations with non-SAP systems.
Master Data Governance for IBP
How master data flows from MDG or S/4HANA into IBP and governance requirements.
IBP Supply Plan Deployment to S/4HANA
How supply plans from IBP are deployed back to S/4HANA as planned orders and production proposals.
IBP and SAP Analytics Cloud Integration
Connecting IBP volume plans to SAC financial plans for integrated business planning.
Monthly S&OP Cycle Design
Designing the monthly S&OP planning cycle — steps, owners, inputs, outputs, and calendar.
Weekly Demand Review Cycle
Running a weekly demand review cycle for short-term demand adjustments.
Supply Balancing Cycle
The weekly supply balancing process — identifying gaps and resolving supply-demand imbalances.
Executive Planning Review Design
Structuring the executive planning review for strategic alignment and resource allocation.