Build a Governed S&OP Scenario Register Instead of Managing Scenarios in Email
Create a single controlled register for assumptions, decisions and approved plan versions
Objective
Create a single register for S&OP scenarios, assumptions, owners and approvals.
Target user
S&OP leaders, finance partners, demand planners and supply planners.
Inputs
Scenario ID and name
Decision question
Demand and supply assumptions
Financial, inventory and capacity impact
Owner and status
Approval and expiry dates
Published plan version
Architecture
Use a governed middle layer between source systems and executive decisions. Keep assumptions separate from calculated outputs and preserve the approved baseline.
Steps
Start with the decision question, not the spreadsheet.
Record all assumptions separately from calculated outputs.
Assign one owner to each assumption.
Record the baseline used for comparison.
Document constraints and unresolved data issues.
Capture the decision and approver.
Link the approved scenario to the published plan.
Archive expired scenarios.
Validation
Every assumption has an owner and effective date.
The baseline and scenario outputs are distinguishable.
The approved scenario links to one published plan version.
Expired scenarios cannot be reused without review.
Governance box
Data source: demand, supply and finance systems.
Owner: S&OP process owner.
Validation: cross-functional review.
Version control: immutable approved versions.
Access: editing limited to scenario owners.
Manual override: executive approval.
Failure mode: revert to the last approved consensus plan.
