Process Improvement

Integrated Business Planning

If planning meetings are spent debating data instead of making decisions, it’s time for a reset. Integrated Business Planning aligns sales, production, inventory, and financial expectations into one clear plan reducing surprises, freeing up cash, and accelerating decisions.

When Planning Fails, Here’s What You Feel

Weak planning doesn’t just create operational noise, it quietly drains cash and limits growth. Here is how it often shows up:

Inventory is up, but service is down
Constant expediting, overtime, and last-minute changes
Too many spreadsheets, without trusted numbers
Meetings that become status updates instead of decision-making forums
Obsolete inventory piling up, tying up cash and space
Rising tension across and between Sales, Operations, and Finance

If any of these challenges sound familiar, there’s usually an opportunity to strengthen the planning, process, accountability, and cross-functional alignment.

Planning Capabilities to Consider

Integrated Business Planning is not one single process. Different planning rhythms add value depending on your organization’s priorities, challenges, maturity, and complexity.

Here are planning capabilities that may be valuable for your organization:

Demand Planning - Valuable if forecast visibility and/or accuracy is low.

A structured approach to forecasting customer demand that combines historical data, market trends, and commercial insight to create a realistic view of future demand.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

This process is valuable when Sales, Operations, and Finance are not aligned on a forward-looking plan.
A monthly cross-functional process that aligns teams on expected demand and operational realities.
S&OP creates a forum for leadership to evaluate demand- and supply-driven issues and make informed
decisions ensuring trade-offs are proactive and intentional rather than reactive.

Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP)

This process is valuable for inventory-intensive businesses or when working capital is a priority. An enhanced planning rhythm that explicitly integrates inventory visibility and strategy, helping set the right inventory targets and balance service levels with cash.

Slow-Moving & Obsolete Inventory Management (SLOB)

This process is valuable when excess, aging, or write-off risks are growing. SLOB focuses on identifying slow-moving and obsolete inventory, allowing you to take corrective action, and address the root causes of excess.

Good Planning Isn’t Accidental

Good planning isn’t about producing reports, adopting the latest tool, or holding more meetings. It’s about the discipline, consistent rhythm, and shared understanding that turn the process into real value.

The necessary essentials include:

Trusted data and meaningful KPIs – One version of the truth, with clear definitions and metrics your teams can rely on to make confident decisions.
Operational discipline – Clear targets, documented plans, defined actions, and regular follow-through to
ensure priorities are executed and commitments are met.
Defined roles and decision rights – Clear ownership for each part of the process, so everyone knows their responsibilities and accountability for outcomes.
Structured cadence – Consistent meeting rhythms, agendas, and decision forums that keep planning focused, efficient, and aligned with business objectives.

Turning Planning Challenges into Action

TPG helps organizations move from reactive planning to a predictable, reliable operating rhythm without overcomplicating it.

Working alongside your team, we build and execute a practical plan tailored to your priorities. Key elements often include:

Assessment & Diagnostic – Understand current planning processes, gaps, and opportunities.
Recommended Planning Solutions – Identify targeted solutions to achieve your objectives.
Process Design & Implementation – Establish or improve planning processes that are clear and actionable.
Metrics & KPIs – Define the measures that align teams and track progress toward goals.
Reporting – Build efficient reporting that delivers accurate, actionable insights.
Training & Capability Building – Equip your team to manage and sustain the planning process
independently.
Facilitated Test Runs – Validate processes in practice to ensure readiness and adoption.

The Goal is Simple: a planning rhythm across your teams that can run confidently, and a process you can trust to deliver measurable improvements consistently.

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THE #TPGDIFFERENCE | CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“While I have rarely been a proponent of consultants, The Poirier Group and their supportive approach have positively changed my view to the immense value that the right consulting organization can bring.”

“Your excellent communication and overall leadership was appreciated. I felt like our two groups were true partners on this project and achieved success together. Thanks again for you and your team.”

“Overall, I would give The Poirier Group an A+ in solution generation, service delivery and providing with a highly talented team to work with. Great work”

"Just want to acknowledge the excellent presentation yesterday. It was thorough, comprehensive and well received not only by the Steering Committee but even more importantly by owners. The presentation inspired their confidence in The Poirier Group and in the direction we are moving in this comprehensive process. Great job."

“Looking back on our time with The Poirier Group, we would not have been able to achieve our inventory management and overall business objectives without their services. If you are considering an engagement with The Poirier Group, I highly recommend them.”

Integrated Business Planning​

When Planning Fails, Here’s What You Feel​