According to the IDC, the role of planning is central to the overall success of the CPG company, specifically the idea of a singular, integrated supply planning facility. It is the holistic business process that connects all the various planning functions across the business to enable the alignment of operational and financial performance goals. The key is that these planning processes are not done in isolation; rather, they are done as part of a cohesive, integrated, and enterprise-wide whole.

Clearly, the speed and productivity of innovation increase with a connected planning process. The collaboration mechanisms inherent in a connected planning approach ensure that the proper hurdles are in place for an idea to continue to progress through the various stages and that any “reworking” is done within a stage, not across multiple stages.

Furthermore, the involvement of the various functional business groups ensures that, for example, supply chain-related sourcing, manufacturing, or distribution issues are resolved within each stage rather than across multiple stages or, worst case, just prior to product launch.

Across the CPG industry, business growth is increasingly tied to agility, innovation, and effective collaboration (across functions and within the ecosystem).

Connected planning with integrated advanced analytics unlocks value through:

For further information, including details on the changing consumer trends and how to respond to them, download our full whitepaper.