{"id":19735,"date":"2025-05-09T15:03:44","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T14:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/?p=19735"},"modified":"2026-08-28T12:28:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T11:28:55","slug":"needs-assessment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/blog\/logistik-und-warenwirtschaft\/bedarfsermittlung\/","title":{"rendered":"Effective demand forecasting: an explanation of the methods and their application."},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"19735\" class=\"elementor elementor-19735\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d72f406 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2d72f406\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7b1f1b e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b7b1f1b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-747155a e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"747155a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-539d4d3e elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"539d4d3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Effective demand forecasting: an explanation of the methods and their application.<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bb55f3a e-con-full e-transform e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3bb55f3a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" 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class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-319b9e01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"319b9e01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-19742\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-18x12.webp 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30c9e2ad e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"30c9e2ad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e3cb529 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wpr-breadcrumbs-pro\" data-id=\"3e3cb529\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wpr-breadcrumbs-pro.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpr-post-breadcrumbs\"><ul class=\"wpr-breadcrumbs\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/\">Home page<\/a><\/li><li>\/<\/li><li>Effective demand forecasting: an explanation of the methods and their application.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ef6aeec elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"7ef6aeec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-d3397dd elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"author\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/author\/nicole-wehner\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-author\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNicole Wehner\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-ff6b963 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/blog\/2025\/05\/09\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-calendar\" viewbox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M400 64h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v352c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h352c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V112c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48zm-6 400H54c-3.3 0-6-2.7-6-6V160h352v298c0 3.3-2.7 6-6 6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>9 May 2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-325d402 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"about\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-tags\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M497.941 225.941L286.059 14.059A48 48 0 0 0 252.118 0H48C21.49 0 0 21.49 0 48v204.118a48 48 0 0 0 14.059 33.941l211.882 211.882c18.744 18.745 49.136 18.746 67.882 0l204.118-204.118c18.745-18.745 18.745-49.137 0-67.882zM112 160c-26.51 0-48-21.49-48-48s21.49-48 48-48 48 21.49 48 48-21.49 48-48 48zm513.941 133.823L421.823 497.941c-18.745 18.745-49.137 18.745-67.882 0l-.36-.36L527.64 323.522c16.999-16.999 26.36-39.6 26.36-63.64s-9.362-46.641-26.36-63.64L331.397 0h48.721a48 48 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-terms\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-info__terms-list\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/kategorie\/logistik-und-warenwirtschaft\/\" class=\"elementor-post-info__terms-list-item\">Logistics &amp; Inventory Management<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c6abbb1 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3c6abbb1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-875d73d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"875d73d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32f568fd e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"32f568fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2aa34a0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2aa34a0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Any company that manufactures goods and requires materials to produce its end products must take account of its material requirements. What are the respective material requirements, and what demand for products, spare parts and saleable intermediate goods can you expect in the future? Accuracy is essential here to ensure that production does not come to a standstill.<\/p><p>The solution lies in demand forecasting, for which various mathematical and statistical methods are also used. Which types of demand are necessary and appropriate, what methods of demand forecasting are available, and how can you apply them in practice? We provide key definitions and clarify these questions in our article.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59703e8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"59703e8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key points at a glance:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e5fc35c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6e5fc35c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">By carrying out a requirements analysis, you can ensure that you always order the correct quantity of parts and materials. This helps you avoid both shortages and surpluses.<\/li><li data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">You can distinguish between different types of requirements. These include primary, secondary, tertiary, gross and net requirements.<\/li><li data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">There are various methods available for determining requirements. Among the most important are programme-based and consumption-based requirements analysis.<\/li><li data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">With an ERP system such as collana diva now, you can optimise demand planning and materials management.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46404fb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"46404fb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is a needs assessment?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6206c70c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6206c70c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">By definition, demand forecasting is a business management process that companies carry out to determine their requirements. In materials management, demand forecasting is one of the most important methods, as it ensures the company\u2019s supply of materials and identifies future material requirements. By definition, demand forecasting is also known as demand quantity planning, material requirements planning and procurement planning.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd9a26e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bd9a26e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why is demand forecasting so important for businesses?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0095fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a0095fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Because it helps to optimise costs and storage space. When it comes to material procurement, precision is essential to avoid both overstocking and understocking. This applies equally to goods, spare parts, saleable semi-finished products or assemblies, and production materials. In other words: determining demand forms the basis for all procurement strategies.<\/p><p>It is not only procurement that benefits from this analysis, but also production. What raw materials, semi-finished products, assemblies and individual parts do you need to complete orders or keep production running?<\/p><p>Here\u2019s an example: A company manufactures wooden garden benches. In this case, it makes a real difference whether the requirement is for 2 tonnes of wood, 12,000 screws and 30 litres of oil, or whether you only need 1 tonne of wood and 4,000 screws. An order for 4 tonnes of timber and 16,000 screws would, in fact, be an over-order, which incurs storage costs and ties up capital. Ordering too little, on the other hand, causes supply bottlenecks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e4d6ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e4d6ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Needs assessment: Breakdown by the following types of needs<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4aec41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4aec41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Before we move on to the methods for assessing needs, it is first necessary to categorise them according to the following types of need:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n \t<li><strong>Primary needs:<\/strong> Primary goods are finished products and services that you sell directly to customers. These include, for example, finished cars, pyjamas, spare parts or wooden benches.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Secondary requirements:<\/strong> This includes all raw materials and components required for the production of essential goods or to fulfil firm customer orders. Examples include car tyres or windscreens, buttons for pyjamas, and wooden slats for a wooden bench.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Tertiary requirements:<\/strong> Although these materials are not directly incorporated into the end product or counted as primary requirements, you do need them to manufacture the product. These include operating and auxiliary materials (e.g. lubricants for machinery).<\/li>\n<\/ul><br>\nThis distinction between primary, secondary and tertiary requirements is based on the materials you need at each stage of production. In addition, you can distinguish between two further types of requirement:\n<ul><br>\n \t<li><strong>Gross requirement:<\/strong> This figure is obtained by adding together the secondary and tertiary requirements. It therefore represents the total requirements needed to manufacture the product.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Net requirement:<\/strong> This, on the other hand, refers to materials which you still need to procure or manufacture. The figure is calculated by subtracting the available stock from the gross requirement.<\/li>\n<\/ul><br>\n<table><colgroup> <col \/> <col \/><\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">Available stock =<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">+Stock\n\n-Reserved materials\n\n+Open purchase orders and production orders\n\n-Safety stock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">Net requirement =<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">Gross requirements \u2013 available stock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-baaac7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"baaac7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung_Lager.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-19743\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung_Lager.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung_Lager-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung_Lager-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung_Lager-18x12.webp 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97b9fa4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"97b9fa4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Overview: Methods for assessing needs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b03876 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b03876\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">There are various techniques used in demand forecasting. In addition to estimates, you can, for example, obtain some figures directly from ERP software. Various mathematical and statistical methods are also used. The following methods are available for demand forecasting:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94990a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"94990a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Programme-based needs assessment (deterministic method)<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-652a394 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"652a394\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">This method is based on current production plans and bills of materials. Primary requirements are determined by existing orders and plans. Using these, you can then plan secondary and tertiary requirements, calculate the necessary auxiliary materials and resources, and determine the gross and net requirements.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a7b80c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a7b80c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Consumption-based demand forecasting (stochastic demand forecasting)<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43771b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"43771b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Under the consumption-based (stochastic) method, future requirements are determined on the basis of past consumption.<\/p><p>An example? For July and August, the method calculates a quantity based on previous consumption and possible forecasts. Mathematical statistical methods (stochastics) are used, which allow you to optimise the results. These are particularly useful when sales volumes fluctuate.<\/p><p>The key factor is the pattern of demand, which may be constant, trend-based, seasonal, sporadic or highly volatile.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f76d6d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f76d6d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Rule-based demand forecasting<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06ce431 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06ce431\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Put simply, rule-based demand forecasting is an \u2018if-then\u2019 scenario. If a particular situation arises, a specific material requirement results. For example, if a customer orders a car with specific features, this creates a requirement for specific parts and materials (e.g. leather in an unusual colour, an on-board computer, etc.).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-775e691 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"775e691\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Subjective estimation (heuristic needs assessment)<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-935cba5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"935cba5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">If only limited historical data is available, you can estimate the expected demand. The estimate should then be based on empirical evidence and a certain level of expertise. However, this method is not recommended if another method is better suited to determining demand.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c5e380 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3c5e380\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Advantages and disadvantages of methods for assessing needs<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f27910 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f27910\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you should weigh up. We have therefore put together an overview of the key points below.<\/p><table data-pm-slice=\"3 3 []\"><tbody><tr><th>Method<\/th><th>Advantages<\/th><th>Disadvantages<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Programme-based needs assessment<\/td><td>Lower stock levels, as production is carried out to order<\/td><td>Reduced ability to fulfil orders, as production only begins once an order has been received<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>High accuracy in determining requirements based on bills of materials<\/td><td>Longer lead times due to the procurement period<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Consumption-based demand forecasting<\/td><td>High delivery reliability and short lead times, as products are already in stock<\/td><td>Higher warehouse utilisation, as production is geared towards the market<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>Minimal effort required as calculations are based on historical figures<\/td><td>Inaccurate stock figures due to historical data<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rule-based demand forecasting<\/td><td>High cost-effectiveness thanks to standardised processes<\/td><td>Low volatility, as seasonal changes or market fluctuations are not taken into account<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>Easy to plan due to fixed parameters<\/td><td>Limited adaptability<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Subjective estimate<\/td><td>Minimal effort, as no analyses and, in most cases, no data are required<\/td><td>Decisions are subjective and prone to error<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>Can also be applied to new products, even without historical data<\/td><td>Decisions depend on the expertise of individual people<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Bear in mind, however, that these methods can have a particularly positive or negative impact on certain types of products and product groups. For example, programme-based demand forecasting is particularly suitable for specialised products, whilst consumption-based demand forecasting is particularly well-suited to mass production.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7def07f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7def07f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-Mitarbeiter.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-19744\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-Mitarbeiter.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-Mitarbeiter-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-Mitarbeiter-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.collana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/erp-ecommerce_Bedarfsermittlung-Mitarbeiter-18x12.webp 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-860db96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"860db96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Needs assessment in practice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5e19ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5e19ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">When carrying out a needs assessment, you should, in practice, take additional precautions and monitor developments. To this end, you can make use of other methods, which we outline briefly below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f984b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4f984b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ABC analysis for determining requirements<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fbeeb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6fbeeb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">As a rule, warehouse capacity is limited. It is therefore not always possible to actually stock the optimum quantity of goods for all end products. This is where ABC analysis comes into play; it helps you to set priorities and determine for which goods you should optimise your demand forecasting.<\/p><p>Put simply, divide your products into three categories:<\/p><p><strong>A-grade products:<\/strong> These generate particularly high turnover and are a top priority<\/p><p><strong>B-grade products:<\/strong> These make a moderate contribution to turnover and are only of medium priority<\/p><p><strong>C-products:<\/strong> These are items with low sales figures and are therefore given low priority<\/p><p>Focus on Category A products and optimise demand forecasting for them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b2a5ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b2a5ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Target\/Actual Method<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11a474c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11a474c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The target\/actual method, on the other hand, helps you to check whether current figures match the planned figures. This approach is particularly useful in rolling planning, as it enables you to control and adjust the flow of materials. For example, how much of the requirement (gross requirement) is actually available, and what is the current delivery status? You can quickly identify discrepancies in requirements planning and prevent delivery bottlenecks or production stoppages.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1252b3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1252b3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of how to assess requirements<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-699252d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"699252d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"beispiele\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70570f61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70570f61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Now here is another real-life example that illustrates how to assess requirements.<\/p><p>Example: A company manufactures pyjamas. It expects to produce 100 pyjamas during the planning period.<\/p><table><tbody><tr><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>Explanation<\/td><td>Quantity of material<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Basic needs<\/td><td>The pyjamas are the end product<\/td><td>100 pyjamas<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Secondary requirements<\/td><td>To make a pair of pyjamas, you will need: 3 metres of fabric, 2 buttons, 5 metres of thread<\/td><td>300 metres of fabric, 200 buttons, 500 metres of thread<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tertiary needs<\/td><td>As an aid, add 10 ml of lubricant to the sewing machine for each pair of pyjamas.<\/td><td>1,000 ml of lubricant, 1 sewing machine<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Gross requirement<\/td><td>Secondary needs + tertiary needs<\/td><td>300 metres of fabric, 200 buttons, 500 metres of thread, 1,000 ml of lubricant, 1 sewing machine<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Net requirement<\/td><td>Gross requirements \u2013 available stock. Available stock: 100 metres of fabric, 150 buttons, 200 metres of thread, 80 ml of lubricant, 1 sewing machine<\/td><td>200 metres of fabric, 50 buttons, 300 metres of thread, 920 ml of lubricant<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p>In order to comply with the planning period, the business must purchase the funds to meet its net requirements.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/erp-systems\/diva-now-e-commerce\/\">High-performance ERP systems such as collana diva now<\/a> help you to simplify your materials management and optimise your materials planning. collana diva now brings transparency to your stock levels, so that you know your primary, secondary and tertiary requirements at all times. You can use both historical data and forecasts to determine your requirements.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-517ba6f8 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"517ba6f8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3df25825 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3df25825\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c5641f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2c5641f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share this 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19-19.4 46.3 0 27.3 19.9 53.7 22.6 57.4 2.8 3.7 39.1 59.7 94.8 83.8 35.2 15.2 49 16.5 66.6 13.9 10.7-1.6 32.8-13.4 37.4-26.4 4.6-13 4.6-24.1 3.2-26.4-1.3-2.5-5-3.9-10.5-6.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhatsApp\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5bc42d e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f5bc42d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66465380 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"66465380\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our latest news<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d5ba5c7 elementor-grid-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-none elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"6d5ba5c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_widescreen&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-20459 nachrichten type-nachrichten status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-unternehmensinformationen tag-news\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/nachrichten\/netwise-schliesst-sich-der-collana-an\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tPolish company Netwise S.A. joins the collana Group\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Home \/ Polish company Netwise S.A. joins the collana Group The<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/nachrichten\/netwise-schliesst-sich-der-collana-an\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Polish company Netwise S.A. joining the collana Group\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-author\">\n\t\t\tPaul M.\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t13 August 2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-19912 nachrichten type-nachrichten status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-unternehmensinformationen tag-news\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/nachrichten\/neuer-techpodcast-coreshift-by-collana\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tCoreShift by collana: New tech podcast launched\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>The collana Group has launched the video podcast \u2018CoreShift by collana\u2019. The topics covered are: AI, digitalisation and transformation.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/nachrichten\/neuer-techpodcast-coreshift-by-collana\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about CoreShift by collana: New tech podcast launched\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-author\">\n\t\t\tPaul M.\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t31 July 2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-19373 nachrichten type-nachrichten status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-unternehmensinformationen tag-microsoft-solutions-partner\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/nachrichten\/collana-microsoft-solutions-partner\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe collana Group has now secured all six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>The collana Group has achieved a milestone that few Microsoft partners can boast: as a group of companies, it now holds all six available Microsoft Solutions Partner designations and is therefore automatically awarded the coveted \u201eMicrosoft Solutions Partner for Microsoft Cloud\u201c distinction.<br \/>\nThis status is not down to any single area of expertise, but rather to the combined expertise of the Group\u2019s ten specialist subsidiaries: from ERP implementations in manufacturing, retail and the healthcare sector, through bespoke software development, to business intelligence and AI solutions.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/nachrichten\/collana-microsoft-solutions-partner\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about the collana Group achieving all six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-author\">\n\t\t\tPaul M.\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t2 July 2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d2a5748 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5d2a5748\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-285f075a e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"285f075a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76101234 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"76101234\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f3eaeca elementor-widget__width-initial text-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-tp-heading-title\" data-id=\"1f3eaeca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tp-heading-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"heading heading_style heading_style6ab1d220a70de style-1\"  data-tp-gsap-heading-text=\"\" data-tp-gsap-sub-heading-text=\"\"><div class=\"sub-style\" ><div class=\"head-title\" > <h2  class=\"heading-title\"  data-hover=\"Bedarfsermittlung\">Needs assessment<span class=\"title-s\"> Simplify with diva now ERP <\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-224e194 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"224e194\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The benefit for you? With collana diva now, you can manage demand forecasting effectively \u2013 without overstocking or understocking. Processes run smoothly and efficiently, and you can fulfil orders on time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b6484c elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-17122 elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"6b6484c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"collana-hs\">\n  <script src=\"https:\/\/js-eu1.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/developer\/27083800.js\" defer><\/script>\n  <div class=\"hs-form-html\"\n       data-region=\"eu1\"\n       data-form-id=\"0afa9f36-557f-45cd-bfcb-0879b2d988cf\"\n       data-portal-id=\"27083800\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73463d2d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"73463d2d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home \/ Effective demand forecasting: methods and their application explained. Any company that manufactures goods and requires materials to produce its end products must address the issue of demand volumes. What are the respective material requirements, and what demand for products, spare parts and saleable semi-finished goods can you expect in the future? Accuracy is essential here to ensure that production does not come to a standstill. The solution lies in demand forecasting, for which various mathematical and statistical methods are also used. Which types of demand are necessary and appropriate, what methods of demand forecasting are available, and how can you apply them in practice? We provide key definitions and clarify these questions in our article. The most important points at a glance: By carrying out demand forecasting, you ensure that you always order the correct quantity of parts and materials. This helps you avoid both shortages and surpluses. You can distinguish between different types of demand. These include primary, secondary, tertiary, gross and net demand. Various approaches are available for demand planning. Among the most important are programme-based and consumption-based demand planning. With an ERP system such as collana diva now, you can optimise demand planning and materials management. What is demand planning? By definition, demand planning is a business management process that companies carry out to determine their requirements. In materials management, demand planning is one of the most important methods, as it ensures the company\u2019s supply of materials and identifies future material requirements. By definition, demand planning is also known as demand quantity planning, material requirements planning and procurement planning. Why is demand planning so important for companies? Because it helps to optimise costs and storage space. In materials procurement, accuracy is essential to avoid both overstocking and stockouts. This applies equally to goods, spare parts, saleable semi-finished products or assemblies, and production materials. In other words: demand forecasting forms the basis for all procurement strategies. It is not only procurement that benefits from this analysis, but also production. What raw materials, semi-finished products, assemblies and individual parts do you need to complete orders or keep production running? Here\u2019s an example: a company manufactures wooden garden benches. It makes a significant difference whether the requirement is for 2 tonnes of wood, 12,000 screws and 30 litres of oil, or whether you only need 1 tonne of wood and 4,000 screws. An order for 4 tonnes of timber and 16,000 screws would, in fact, be an over-order, which incurs storage costs and ties up capital. An order that is too small, on the other hand, causes supply bottlenecks. Demand determination: Classification according to the following types of demand Before we look at the methods for determining demand, it is first necessary to classify demand according to the following types: Primary demand: Primary demand refers to end products and services that you sell directly to customers. These include, for example, finished cars, pyjamas, spare parts or wooden benches. Secondary requirements: This category covers all raw materials and components required for the manufacture of primary requirements or to fulfil firm customer orders. For example, car tyres or windscreens for cars, buttons for pyjamas, and wooden slats for the wooden bench. Tertiary requirements: Although these materials do not go directly into the end product or the primary requirements, you do need them to produce the product. These include operating and auxiliary materials (e.g. lubricants for machinery). This distinction between primary, secondary and tertiary requirements is based on the materials you need at each stage of production. In addition, you can distinguish between two further types of requirements: Gross requirements: This figure is obtained by adding together the secondary and tertiary requirements. This therefore represents the total requirements needed to manufacture the product. Net requirements: This, on the other hand, refers to material that you still need to procure through purchasing or production. The figure is calculated by subtracting the available stock from the gross requirements. Available stock = Stock + Reserved material + Open purchase orders and production orders \u2013 Safety stock Net requirements = Gross requirements \u2013 available stock Overview: Methods of requirements calculation There are various procedures used amongst the methods of requirements calculation. In addition to estimates, you can, for example, obtain some values directly from ERP software. Various mathematical and statistical methods are also used. The following methods are available for demand planning: 1. Programme-based demand planning (deterministic method) This method is based on current production plans and bills of materials. Primary requirements are determined by existing orders and plans. With the help of these, you can then plan secondary and tertiary requirements, calculate the necessary auxiliary materials and resources, and determine the gross and net requirements. 2. Consumption-based demand planning (stochastic demand planning) In the consumption-based (stochastic) method, future demand is determined by analogy with past consumption levels. An example? For July and August, the method calculates a quantity based on previous consumption and possible forecasts. Mathematical statistical methods (stochastics) are applied, which allow you to optimise the results. These are particularly useful when sales volumes fluctuate. The key factor is the demand pattern, which may be constant, trend-based, seasonal, sporadic or highly volatile. 3. Rule-based demand forecasting Put simply, rule-based demand forecasting involves an \u2018if-then\u2019 scenario. If a specific scenario occurs, a particular material requirement arises. For example, if a customer orders a car with special specifications, this results in a requirement for specific parts and accessories (e.g. leather in an unusual colour, on-board computer, etc.). 4. Subjective estimation (heuristic demand forecasting) If only limited historical data is available, you can estimate the expected demand. The estimate should then be based on experience and a certain level of expertise. However, this method is not recommended if another method is better suited to demand forecasting. Advantages and disadvantages of demand forecasting methods Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you should weigh up. We have therefore compiled an overview of the key arguments below. Method Advantages Disadvantages Programme-oriented demand planning Lower stock levels, as production is based on customer orders Lower availability, as production only begins once an order is received   High accuracy of demand planning based on bills of materials Increased lead times due to procurement lead times Consumption-based demand planning High delivery readiness and short lead times, as products are already in stock Higher stock utilisation, as production is for the market   Low effort as calculations are based on historical values Inaccurate stock levels due to historical data Rule-based demand planning High cost-efficiency due to standardised processes Low flexibility, as seasonal changes or market fluctuations are not taken into account   Good predictability due to fixed parameters Low adaptability Subjective estimation Low effort,<\/p>","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":19742,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[67,63],"branche":[],"technologie":[],"class_list":["post-19735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-logistik-und-warenwirtschaft","tag-e-commerce","tag-erp"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19735"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21021,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19735\/revisions\/21021"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19735"},{"taxonomy":"branche","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/branche?post=19735"},{"taxonomy":"technologie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.collana.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/technologie?post=19735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}