Integrated Business Planning

Let’s Rethink How We Manage Business

 

IBP is provocative, challenging, and, at times, contentious, yet the benefits are unquestionable. We have experience navigating the dynamics which impede IBP implementation in a variety of different businesses. This experience affords us the opportunity to help others take the concepts of IBP and provide pragmatic operational solutions, avoiding rabbit-holes, minefields, and some of the frustration associated with the deployment.  This site is created to provide online support, answer questions, and help others on their IBP implementation journey.

person writing on notebook
Integrated Business Planning

IBP Challenges, no one wants to talk about

Integrated Business Planning (IBP) is a management process that aims to bring together different business functions to plan and execute an organization's strategies. IBP goes beyond traditional Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) by including functions such as finance, marketing, and human resources in the planning process. While IBP can provide many benefits, such as increased visibility, better decision-making, and improved alignment, it also comes with several lesser-known challenges or rather taboo sensitive challenges that can make implementation difficult. Basic supply chain capability is lacking in any ability to execute the plan. There is a misconception that if you build it,…
Debbie Evans
April 24, 2023
Managment

Leadership Accountability

Supply chain leader and a market leader are sitting at a bar, looking somber and frustrated. Supply Chain Leader: "We need to figure out how to explain our nonperformance to leadership. Any ideas?" Market Leader: "Yeah, we need to come up with something convincing." The supply chain leader starts brainstorming, looking stressed. Supply Chain Leader: "Maybe we can say there were delays in the supply chain due to unforeseen circumstances?" Market Leader: "No, that won't work. We've already used that one before." The market leader takes a sip of their drink, looking pensive. Market Leader: "What about blaming it on…
Debbie Evans
April 9, 2023
Integrated Business Planning

Simplifying Success: How Integrated Business Planning Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated or Time-Consuming

In the fast-paced world of business, staying competitive requires smart planning and adaptability. Integrated Business Planning (IBP) is often hailed as a game-changer in achieving these goals, but it's a common misconception that IBP must be complex and time-consuming. In reality, simplifying the IBP process is not only possible but can also lead to more efficient and effective outcomes. Start with Clear Objectives: A fundamental step in simplifying IBP is to establish clear objectives. What do you want to achieve with IBP? Is it improved demand forecasting, better inventory management, or enhanced financial planning? By defining your goals upfront, you…
Debbie Evans
September 11, 2023
Integrated Business Planning

What Covid-19 taught us about IBP

Implementation of an Integrated business planning (IBP) process in a large matrix organization is far from short on challenges and even after several years these challenges often persists.  Navigating the dynamics of an organization that has deep seated roots lacking transparency, subterfuge, turf guarding and even egocentric behaviors can plague an IBP process often longer than the organization has the patience to endure.   How is it possible to integrate different functions in such an environment where supply chain poor performance is often the result of perceived bad forecast, a sales and marketing team that continues to miss sales targets due…
Debbie Evans
March 24, 2021