Companies have been discussing integrated planning for decades, but most have not been able to pursue it. Planning is generally time-consuming; underlying processes are often poorly structured, and information and workflows are repeatedly broken. Managers then claim that they are confronted with many alignment processes and that their input layouts, models, and functions are linked in complex ways. In a nutshell, planning is often not integrated, is slow and inflexible, which leads to poor resource allocations and wrong management decisions. However, recent state-of-the-art planning software solutions allow a company to establish integrated planning with underlying end-to-end (E2E) connected subplans and processes.

Bridging the gaps between distinct subplans is essential for fully integrated planning

It is worth revisiting integrated planning because technology has brought exciting new options to connect subplans and processes E2E. Integrated planning is a powerful lever for advanced planning topics such as simulations and scenario analyses or value driver-based and predictive analytics. Across all trending planning topics, integrating different subplans and integrating strategic with operational plans are where a lack of knowledge (expertise and experience) is the main limiting factor for companies. The following generic planning landscape shows distinct gaps between subplans that we usually identify with our clients.

Would you like more information?

If you want to get more information about this insight please get in touch with our experts who would be pleased to hear from you.