Efficient Order Fulfillment Systems

As Product Managers it’s so easy to loose trust if features on the roadmap are not prioritised correctly. Here are 5 prioritization frameworks and when to actually use them: 1. RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) ✅ Use when: You have multiple ideas/features and want to prioritize based on expected impact. 📌 Best for: Growth experiments, new features, MVP ideas 💡Tip: Confidence % is often biased calibrate with data! 2. MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have) ✅ Use when: You’re working with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders. 📌 Best for: Sprint planning, product launches 💡Tip: Don’t let every stakeholder label everything as “Must have.” 3. Kano Model ✅ Use when: You want to balance delight with functionality. 📌 Best for: Customer-facing products 💡Tip: A feature that delights today might be expected tomorrow. 4. ICE (Impact, Confidence, Ease) ✅ Use when: You want a quicker version of RICE for fast decision-making. 📌 Best for: Rapid prototyping, early-stage prioritization 💡Tip: Use ICE when you don’t have a ton of data but still need to move. 5. Value vs. Effort Matrix ✅ Use when: You want to visualize trade-offs with stakeholders. 📌 Best for: Roadmap discussions, stakeholder alignment 💡Tip: Plot features on a 2×2: * Quick Wins (High value, low effort) * Strategic Bets (High value, high effort) * Time Wasters (Low value, high effort) * Fillers (Low value, low effort) So which one should you pick? Use RICE when you’re in a data-driven company. Use MoSCoW when time is tight and alignment is tough. Use ICE when you need speed > accuracy. Use Kano when delight matters. Use the Value/Effort Matrix when people keep asking, “Why this first?” 📌 Save this for your next prioritization war. 💬 Tried any of these at work? Drop your go-to framework in comments! #productmanager #job #PMjobs #learning #frameworks

𝗛𝗼𝘄 UNIQLO 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝟰¢ 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲. This weekend, I went shopping at Uniqlo. Picked up 10 different outfits for family members. At checkout, I placed my basket in a sleek bin—and bam—every item was scanned and billed within seconds. No barcode scanning. No errors. No waiting. Just plain delight. The magic behind it? 𝗥𝗙𝗜𝗗 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆. But what makes this truly brilliant is how Uniqlo uses RFID beyond checkout to power its supply chain strategy. Every tag is trackable from the factory floor to the store shelf, enabling real-time inventory accuracy, faster replenishment, fewer stockouts, and smarter demand prediction. This is operational efficiency meeting customer delight. Better data → better availability → better experience. 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀? Innovation doesn’t always have to scream AI. Even a humble 4¢ chip, when applied strategically, can deliver a serious brand edge. Have you seen other “quiet innovations” that changed the game?

⭐️Revolutionising Fashion Retail with IBM Sterling OMS⭐️ The fashion industry is dynamic, fast-paced, and customer-centric leading brands use IBM Sterling Distributed Order Management (OMS)—a solution designed to streamline omnichannel operations, enhance customer experiences, and optimise supply chains. Trusted by global names like Ralph Lauren, adidas, Marks and Spencer, NET-A-PORTER, Fossil Group, Inc., Pandora and John Lewis & Partners, Sterling is the backbone of modern retail. Here’s how IBM Sterling OMS Transforms Fashion Retail: 🛍️Omnichannel Integration: Synchronise inventory and fulfilment across online, in-store, and mobile platforms. Adidas uses OMS to offer services like buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) aka Click-and-Collect and ship-from-store. 🛍️Inventory Optimisation: Manage stock in real time to reduce waste and meet demand. Marks & Spencer minimises stockouts with OMS, while Eileen Fisher aligns inventory management with sustainability goals. 🛍️Flexible Fulfilment: Enable split shipments, drop-shipping, and ship-from-store to meet customer needs. Sally Beauty Holdings saw a 540% sales increase by deploying ship-from-store in 2,700+ locations. 🛍️Efficient Returns: Simplify returns to any store, improving customer satisfaction. Pandora doubled its online sales with OMS, handling returns seamlessly during high-demand periods. Pandora leveraged OMS to deliver real-time inventory visibility and optimise global fulfilment operations. 🛍️Fulfillment Speed: John Lewis & Partners migrated 5.7M orders to IBM Sterling OMS, reducing production times and enhancing fulfilment speed. 🛍️Frictionless Customer Experience: Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited achieved 99.5% inventory synchronisation, ensuring a seamless customer experience. With IBM Sterling OMS, the world’s most iconic fashion brands are transforming their operations to meet the demands of modern retail while staying true to their values. #FashionRetail #IBMOMS #SupplyChain #Omnichannel #Sustainability #InnovationInRetail #CustomerExperience #RetailTransformation #PassionForFashion #Luxury #Fashion #Retail #RethinkRetailTopExpert #NRFRetailVoice RETHINK Retail #RethinkRetail National Retail Federation #NRF #ItsAGreatTimeToBeAnIBMer #IBMRetail #IBMConsumer More on IBM OMS: https://lnkd.in/eiJ4Rzxc More on our work with Pandora: https://lnkd.in/eQxSGp3Q 💬 Fashion and Lux will be a topic of discussion at the NRF. Speak to our experts like David Hogg or Colm O'Brien. Join us from January 12-14, 2025, in NYC to explore how IBM is transforming retail at Booth #4639. More here: https://lnkd.in/dzY42Bmf. See you there!

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 🛳 In the realm of operations management, particularly within large-scale infrastructure projects such as Power, Steel, and Oil & Gas, etc.; understanding the Bullwhip Effect and Just-In-Time (JIT) principles is critical. 🖍Bullwhip Effect: This phenomenon occurs when small fluctuations in client demand leads to significant variations on the supply side, potentially disrupting the entire supply chain. The consequences? Excess inventory, production delays, and soaring operational costs. 🖍Just-In-Time (JIT): On the flip side, JIT is a strategy designed to optimize production and inventory management by delivering materials precisely when they’re needed, minimizing waste and excess stock. For a major EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) conglomerate, striking the right balance between the Bullwhip Effect and JIT Strategy is essential, especially during periods of rapid business revival: ✒𝖲𝗆𝗈𝗈𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖣𝖾𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖽, 𝖬𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗆𝗂𝗓𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖶𝖺𝗌𝗍𝖾: The revival phase often brings unpredictable demand spikes. Any shift in project timelines or scope can lead to significant variations in material and service requirements. By leveraging data analytics, real-time monitoring, and adaptive planning, companies can forecast demand accurately, mitigate the Bullwhip Effect, and still reap the benefits of JIT. ✒𝖲𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗀𝗂𝖼 𝖡𝗎𝖿𝖿𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖨𝗆𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗏𝖾𝖽 𝖢𝖺𝗌𝗁 𝖥𝗅𝗈𝗐: While JIT focuses on reducing inventory, keeping a strategic buffer of critical materials can protect against supply chain disruptions as we saw during Covid-19 or reluctance on suppliers' side due to price volatility. Effective supply chain management ensures timely project completion, safeguarding against contractual penalties. ✒𝖫𝗈𝗇𝗀-𝖳𝖾𝗋𝗆 𝖲𝗎𝗉𝗉𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗋 𝖢𝗈𝗅𝗅𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇: Building robust relationships with key suppliers, engaging in collaborative planning, and establishing stable long-term agreements can ensure timely material delivery without the need for excessive inventory, thus mitigating the Bullwhip Effect. In essence, mastering the interplay between the Bullwhip Effect and JIT is vital for operational excellence. By refining demand forecasting, optimizing inventory management, and fostering strong supplier partnerships, we can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the successful revival and sustainable growth of our business. #India #OperationsManagement #EPCProjects #SupplyChainExcellence #JustInTime #BullwhipEffect #IndustryRevival #ProjectManagement #StrategicPlanning #EfficiencyInAction #SupplyChainOptimization #manufacturing

Machine learning offers transformative predictive power across industries, but in logistics and optimization, targeted operational solutions can often deliver more immediate efficiency gains. In a recent blog, data scientists at Swiggy, India’s leading food ordering and delivery platform, shared their innovative approach to improving logistics operations. Swiggy’s business model requires in-store "pickers" to gather items for each customer order, package them, and pass them to the delivery team. As demand grew, simply adding more pickers became unsustainable. The team noticed that many orders contained similar items located near each other, but pickers often revisited the same locations for separate orders. They saw an opportunity to minimize the overall picking time. To address this, the team developed a logistics system that batches pending orders based on item similarity. Using mathematical modeling techniques, this system grouped orders with overlapping items, creating a smoother, faster picking process. This approach reduced backtracking and significantly increased picker efficiency. This is a great case study illustrating the impact of identifying core challenges and addressing them with deep business understanding and customized solutions. Enjoy the read! #analytics #optimization #datascience #solution #logistic – – –  Check out the "Snacks Weekly on Data Science" podcast and subscribe, where I explain in more detail the concepts discussed in this and future posts:    -- Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gKgaMvbh   -- Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gj6aPBBY    -- Youtube: https://lnkd.in/gcwPeBmR https://lnkd.in/gVRRNfBt

🌐 Behind Every Click is a Story I Let the Data Tell It. 📊✨ In a world where e-commerce brands pour thousands into campaigns and still struggle with cart abandonment, product returns, and low retention, the real question isn’t “What happened?” , it’s “Why did it happen?” and “How do we fix it?” 🔎 That’s where data comes in. 📈 And this is where Power BI becomes more than just a dashboard, it becomes a lens for clarity. Over the past few weeks, I built a full-scale, interactive e-commerce performance dashboard, touching every point from marketing campaigns to customer satisfaction. The goal? Make sense of the chaos. Turn complexity into simplicity. Drive action. 🧠 Here’s What I Discovered: ✅ Marketing Channels Instagram drove the most engagement, but Email had the best ROI. Billboard Ads, though expensive, performed poorly — proof that visibility ≠ value. ✅ Cart Abandonment Patterns Over 15% of carts were abandoned. The biggest culprit? Cash on Delivery (COD) users. Fashion orders also had the highest failure and return rates — a clear sign to revisit fulfillment strategies. ✅ Customer Insights That Matter Females aged 35–44 were power buyers across categories Credit Card and PayPal users had smoother journeys. ✅ Returns & Dissatisfaction Top reasons for returns: 📦 “Item Not As Described” 💔 “Arrived Damaged” These aren’t just logistics issues — they’re missed chances to improve product listings and supply chain quality. 🚀 What This Dashboard Achieved: Instead of just dropping charts, I focused on building a narrative: 📌 A story of behavioral trends 📌 A story of missed revenue opportunities 📌 A story that guides business decisions with confidence Power BI didn’t just help me visualize — it helped me strategize. 💡 Final Takeaway Your data is always talking. But without the right tools and the right mindset, it just looks like noise. 📣 This project reminded me why I love data analysis — not just for the numbers, but for the stories they unlock and the decisions they inspire. Let’s connect if you’re building something cool in the analytics space — I’m always open to swapping insights and perspectives. Thanks to Jude R. for your Help #Datafam #PowerBI #EcommerceAnalytics #MarketingROI #CustomerExperience #DataStorytelling #BusinessIntelligence #DashboardDesign #DataDrivenDecisions #DataStrategy #DataVIZ

ZERO WAREHOUSE⬇️ Zero Warehouse is a concept in logistics and supply chain management that aims to eliminate or drastically reduce the need for physical warehousing. This approach relies on more efficient supply chain strategies, real-time inventory management, and advanced technologies to store, move, and distribute goods without traditional warehouse spaces. •)Key Elements of Zero Warehouse Strategy: 1.Just-in-Time (JIT): JIT minimizes inventory by receiving goods only when they are needed for production or sale. The idea is to reduce the amount of storage space required by synchronizing procurement and production schedules. This is effective in reducing the need for large warehouses but can be risky if there are supply chain disruptions. 2.Direct-to-Consumer (D2C): In this model, businesses ship products directly from manufacturers or suppliers to consumers, bypassing traditional warehouses. This can be a good way to eliminate warehouse overhead, but it often requires sophisticated logistics networks. 3.Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Fulfillment Centers: While not eliminating all warehousing, companies can outsource storage and fulfillment to 3PL providers or use decentralized fulfillment centers, which are more agile and often closer to the end customer. This allows companies to scale operations without maintaining a massive warehouse themselves. 4.Cross-Docking: Cross-docking is a logistics practice where goods are unloaded from inbound transportation and directly loaded onto outbound transportation with minimal or no storage in between. This reduces the need for warehousing, as products are simply transferred quickly between trucks. •)Benefits of Zero Warehouse Concept: 1.Reduced Operational Costs: Without the need for maintaining a large warehouse, businesses save on costs like rent, utilities, and staff. 2.Faster Delivery Times: By decentralizing inventory or leveraging local fulfillment centers, businesses can deliver products more quickly to customers. 3.Flexibility and Scalability: The approach allows businesses to be more agile, adapting quickly to changes in demand without large upfront investments in infrastructure. •)Challenges of Zero Warehouse: 1.Supply Chain Vulnerability: Just-in-time and direct shipping models are highly dependent on smooth, uninterrupted supply chains. Any disruption (e.g.from transportation delays,natural disasters or supplier issues) can severely affect operations. 2.Risk of Stockouts: Since inventory is kept to a minimum, there’s a higher risk of running out of stock, especially if demand spikes unexpectedly. The Zero Warehouse concept isn't about eliminating storage altogether but instead about finding smarter, more efficient ways to manage inventory and fulfill orders without relying on large physical warehouses. It’s a forward-thinking approach to the evolving world of logistics and supply chain management.

Everything is urgent! Until it cost $100K in missed deliverables That's what my customer kept saying. Every email marked "ASAP" Every request needed "immediate attention" My team was drowning in priorities. Sound familiar? Here's how we turned chaos into clarity: First, we used the Eisenhower Matrix: → True urgency: System outages → Important but planned: Feature releases → Delegate: Minor updates → Eliminate: Nice-to-haves The key? We did this WITH the customer. They helped categorize each request. Their buy-in made all the difference. Without it, this would have been just another failed process. The result? ✔️ Less team overwhelm ✔️ Clearer project milestones ✔️ Happy customer (they got what mattered) But here's the full toolkit smart leaders use to prioritize: 1. Eisenhower Matrix → Urgent vs important. Know where to focus → Spend less on fires, more on impact 2. Pareto Principle (80/20) → The vital few drive most results → Focus on the 20% that matters 3. Warren Buffett's 5/25 → Choose 5 goals, ignore the other 20 → Cut distractions to stay locked on priorities 4. RICE Method → Score by reach, impact, confidence, effort → Rank smart to get maximum return 5. MoSCoW Method → Must, Should, Could, Won't → Define essentials, defer the rest 6. ABCDE Method → Label tasks A–E, focus on A’s. → Do must-do’s first, delete E’s. But what about daily operations? Here's how I use these methods to spend more time with clients: 7. Time Blocking: 2 hours of deep client work daily → No meetings, no interruptions → Pure focus on their needs 8. Eat That Frog: Tackle client deliverables first → Before inbox & admin work → Fresh mind = best solutions 9. Batching: Group operational tasks → One focused admin block daily → Everything else? Delegated or automated Result? ✔️ 3x more client face time ✔️ Operations run smoothly in background ✔️ Finally got that work-life blend right 💡 Which method resonates most with you? Share below - let's learn from each other's experiences. ✨ Want more leadership tools like these? Subscribe to my Career Freedom Weekly Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eciagfQn ♻️ Repost to help another leader find clarity 👋 Follow Stephanie Hills, Ph.D. for leadership insights that bridge life and work

Most PMs are prioritizing the wrong things. It’s not about building the most features. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀. When everything feels urgent, the real skill is choosing what 𝘯𝘰𝘵 to do. Here are quick, proven techniques to simplify your prioritization process: 🚦 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 → Mission: Why does this product exist? → Vision: Where are we headed? → Strategy: What will get us there? → Goals: What matters 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸? → Metrics: What do we measure to stay on track? But the real challenge? Balancing speed, strategy, and stakeholder alignment. My top 5 frameworks to help you navigate a backlog: 🟢 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Evaluate projects based on: ↳ Reach: How many users will it impact? ↳ Impact: What’s the effect on each user? ↳ Confidence: How sure are we about our estimates? ↳ Effort: How much time will it take? RICE score: (Reach × Impact × Confidence) / Effort 🟢 𝗪𝗦𝗝𝗙 (𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁) WSJF helps you build what’s most valuable—fast: ↳ Job Size: How big or complex is the work ↳ Cost of Delay = User-Business Value + Time Criticality + Risk Reduction / Opportunity Enablement WSJF Score = Cost of Delay ÷ Job Size 🟢 𝗠𝗼𝗦𝗖𝗼𝗪 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 This method clarifies priorities and sets expectations: ↳ Must have: Essential features. ↳ Should have: Important but not critical. ↳ Could have: Nice to have. ↳ Won’t have: Not for this time. 🟢 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅 Plot your initiatives on a 2x2 grid: ↳ High Value, Low Complexity: Quick wins. ↳ High Value, High Complexity: Strategic projects. ↳ Low Value, Low Complexity: Fill-ins. ↳ Low Value, High Complexity: Time sinks. 🟢 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 Classify features based on customer satisfaction: ↳ Must-be: Basic expectations. ↳ Performance: More is better. ↳ Attractive: Delightful surprises. The best product teams don’t rely on a single technique. They blend methods based on goals, clarity, and team dynamics. Let’s stop guessing and start building smarter. 📌 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀? Product Map dives deeper with clear examples and resources. Here is the link to the detailed guide on Prioritization 👇 https://lnkd.in/e2tQCiHp ♻️ Repost to share the value. 📩 Which technique works best for your team? Let’s discuss this in comments!

Understanding Lead Time and How to Optimize It for Greater Efficiency What is Lead Time? Lead time refers to the total time it takes from the initiation of a process (e.g., an order) to its completion (e.g., the delivery of a product). Whether you are manufacturing a product, processing an order, or managing a project, understanding and controlling lead time is key to maximizing efficiency, improving service levels, and ensuring a smooth workflow. Types of Lead Time Lead time is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Different stages of the supply chain or production process have their own types of lead time, each affecting the overall timeline. 1. Materials Lead Time The time it takes to source and receive raw materials or components from suppliers. 2. Production Lead Time The time required to manufacture or assemble the product, from start to finish. 3. Delivery Lead Time The time it takes to ship the finished product to the customer after production is complete. Example Let us say you are a business that manufactures custom furniture. Here is how lead time plays out: • Materials Lead Time: You order high-quality wood from a supplier. It takes 5 days for the supplier to process and ship the materials. • Production Lead Time: Once the wood arrives, it takes 10 days for your team to design, cut, assemble, and finish the furniture. • Delivery Lead Time: After production, it takes 3 days to ship the furniture to the customer’s location. In this scenario, the total lead time from order to delivery would be 18 days (5 + 10 + 3). This means you need to manage each of these stages effectively to avoid delays and ensure timely delivery. How to Shorten Lead Time? Reducing lead time can significantly improve your customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Here are some strategies: • Supplier Relationships: Build strong partnerships with suppliers to ensure faster material sourcing, better terms, and local sourcing options. • Process Optimization: Streamline production processes through technology, lean practices, and workforce training to reduce downtime and increase efficiency. • Logistics Management: Optimize shipping routes, use faster carriers, and offer multiple delivery options to reduce delivery time. • Forecasting and Planning: Improve demand forecasting to ensure timely availability of materials, preventing delays in production. Conclusion In today’s competitive environment, minimizing lead time is not just about speed; it is about building a more agile, efficient, and customer-centric business. By understanding the different types of lead time—materials, production, and delivery—and employing strategies to reduce each of them, companies can not only meet customer expectations but also gain a strategic advantage in the marketplace. #SupplyChain #LeanManufacturing #OperationalEfficiency #BusinessOptimization #LeadTime