When to Use This Checklist
Use this checklist when stockouts stay elevated despite forecast and replenishment tuning. It is built for cross-functional diagnosis across planning, supply, and store execution.
- SKU stockout rate remains above target for four or more consecutive weeks.
- ERP, DC, and store in-stock numbers disagree on the same items.
- Store teams frequently execute emergency transfers or manual overrides.
Root-Cause Diagnostic (First 10 Days)
- Demand signal: compare forecast error in promotion and non-promotion periods.
- Supply reliability: isolate vendor OTIF, fill rate, and lead-time variance.
- Allocation logic: audit min-max rules, pack constraints, and store clustering.
- Store execution: measure backroom-to-shelf cycle time and phantom inventory.
30-60-90 Day Intervention Plan
Sequence interventions by impact and operational complexity.
- 0-30 days: fix top 20 high-revenue SKUs and run a daily exception huddle.
- 31-60 days: rebalance safety stock by volatility tier and enforce supplier SLAs.
- 61-90 days: automate exception routing and institutionalize weekly review.
Regional Guardrails (US, UK, EU)
- US: prioritize promotion volatility and multi-DC transfer rules.
- UK: focus on smaller-store assortment constraints and short lead-time swings.
- EU: maintain country-level buffers for cross-border lead-time and regulatory differences.
FAQ
- How quickly can stockouts improve?
Most teams see meaningful movement in top SKUs within 30 days if exception reviews and scan discipline are enforced daily.
- Where should we start?
Start with the highest revenue and highest substitution-risk categories because they produce the fastest measurable margin recovery.
- Do we need new forecasting software first?
No. Initial gains usually come from better exception handling and execution cadence before major platform replacement.