Demand Forecasting and Inventory Planning Course

Introduction
Demand forecasting and inventory planning are critical components of effective supply chain and operations management, directly influencing service levels, cost efficiency, and organizational resilience. This course provides participants with a practical and analytical foundation in forecasting demand patterns and aligning inventory decisions with business and operational objectives.
The programme bridges quantitative forecasting methods with real-world inventory planning challenges faced by organizations across manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and public sector supply chains. Participants will learn how demand variability, seasonality, and market uncertainty impact inventory performance and resource allocation decisions.
A strong emphasis is placed on applied forecasting techniques, including time series analysis, causal modeling, and collaborative forecasting approaches. The course demonstrates how data-driven forecasting improves accuracy, reduces stock-outs, and minimizes excess inventory across complex supply networks.
Participants will also explore inventory planning strategies such as safety stock optimization, reorder point systems, and multi-echelon inventory management. These tools enable organizations to balance customer service requirements with cost control and working capital efficiency.
The course integrates emerging technologies and digital innovations, including advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and demand sensing tools. These developments are transforming how organizations respond to market signals and adapt inventory strategies in near real-time environments.
By the end of the programme, participants will possess practical skills to design robust demand forecasting processes and implement effective inventory planning systems that enhance operational performance, risk management, and organizational competitiveness.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Supply chain and logistics managers
• Demand planners and inventory controllers
• Operations and production managers
• Procurement and sourcing professionals
• Retail, manufacturing, and distribution planners
• Public sector and humanitarian supply planners
• Business analysts and data analysts
• Managers responsible for working capital and cost control

Course Objectives

• To develop participants’ ability to apply quantitative and qualitative demand forecasting techniques to improve forecast accuracy and support operational planning decisions.
• To strengthen understanding of demand variability, seasonality, and market uncertainty and their implications for inventory planning and supply chain performance.
• To equip participants with practical skills in selecting, building, and evaluating forecasting models for different product types and business contexts.
• To enhance capacity to design inventory planning systems that balance service levels, cost efficiency, and working capital constraints.
• To build competence in safety stock calculation, reorder point determination, and inventory optimization under uncertain demand conditions.
• To improve participants’ ability to integrate demand forecasts with production planning, procurement, and distribution activities.
• To strengthen analytical skills in measuring forecast accuracy, inventory turnover, and service level performance indicators.
• To introduce advanced analytics and AI-driven tools used in modern demand forecasting and inventory management.
• To enhance participants’ ability to manage inventory risks, including obsolescence, shortages, and supply disruptions.
• To enable participants to apply best practices in collaborative forecasting and sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes.

Comprehensive Course Outline

Module 1: Fundamentals of Demand Forecasting

• Role of forecasting in supply chain planning
• Types of demand and demand patterns
• Forecasting horizons and decision impacts
• Common forecasting challenges and biases

Module 2: Data Preparation and Forecasting Inputs

• Historical sales and demand data analysis
• Data cleaning and outlier treatment
• Demand segmentation and product classification
• Incorporating market and promotional data

Module 3: Time Series Forecasting Techniques

• Moving averages and exponential smoothing
• Trend and seasonality modeling
• Forecasting intermittent and lumpy demand
• Model selection and validation

Module 4: Causal and Qualitative Forecasting Methods

• Regression-based demand models
• Incorporating economic and market drivers
• Judgmental and expert-based forecasting
• Managing forecast bias and collaboration

Module 5: Forecast Accuracy and Performance Measurement

• Forecast error metrics and interpretation
• Bias analysis and continuous improvement
• Forecast review and adjustment processes
• Linking accuracy to business outcomes

Module 6: Inventory Planning Fundamentals

• Inventory types and functions
• Service levels and customer requirements
• Inventory cost components
• Trade-offs in inventory decision-making

Module 7: Safety Stock and Replenishment Planning

• Demand and supply uncertainty analysis
• Safety stock calculation methods
• Reorder point and order quantity systems
• Lead time variability management

Module 8: Advanced Inventory Optimization

• ABC and multi-criteria inventory classification
• Multi-echelon inventory planning
• Network-level inventory optimization
• Inventory optimization software tools

Module 9: Emerging Technologies in Forecasting and Inventory

• AI and machine learning applications
• Demand sensing and real-time analytics
• Integrated planning platforms
• Digital twins in supply chain planning

Module 10: Integrated Planning and Risk Management

• Sales and operations planning (S&OP)
• Aligning forecasts with production and procurement
• Inventory risk and disruption management
• Building resilient and agile supply chains

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, guided tour and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better