Intended learning outcomes: Describe the demand filter to handle a discontinuous demand due to infrequent large issues. Disclose effects of length of statistical period on demand fluctuations.
Continuation from previous subsection (10.5.2).
The value for λ may vary very widely and may be quite small, particularly in the capital goods industry. This type of demand is referred to as discontinuous or lumpy demand. It is different from both regular demand (regularity as described in Section 10.3.1) and continuous (steady) demand. (See the definitions in Section 4.4.2). From above observations, we can establish qualitatively that:
- The discontinuous character of a distribution is the result of a limited number of issues per time unit measured. With this, it is very difficult to calculate a forecast. Large coefficients of variation arise not least due to individual, perhaps rather infrequent, large issues. Wherever possible, large issues should be considered as outliers or as abnormal demand and should be taken out of a stochastic technique by a demand filter[note 1010] and made available to deterministic materials management. This could be achieved by increasing delivery periods for large orders, for example. Figure 10.5.2.4 shows this situation.
Fig. 10.5.2.4 Discontinuous demand as an effect of rather infrequent, large issues.
- In the case of a stationary process, for example, constant demand, the relative forecast error depends heavily on the number of events, such as the number of orders. Generally, the actual forecast error is larger than that calculated by extrapolation. This is so because changes in the underlying regularities increase error, given that the number of events is small.
Whether demand will appear as continuous or discontinuous also depends upon the choice of the length of the statistical period. Figure 10.5.2.5 shows this effect.
Fig. 10.5.2.5 Effects of length of statistical period on demand fluctuations.
If the statistical period chosen is too short, this quickly results in discontinuous demand values. These fluctuations are exaggerated and can be leveled by extending the statistical periods. However, the result in materials management may be an increase in levels of goods in stock or work in process, especially if the lead times are shorter than the statistical periods. For practical reasons, a unified length of the statistical period for the entire product range is required. Often, a period of one month is chosen.[note 1011] Even if there is rather discontinuous demand for an individual item, demand for the entire item family may be continuous. In this circumstance, the forecast would be accurate enough for rough-cut planning. If the need for more detailed information should arise, the allocation of the forecast to the various items of the family may be difficult. See also Section 13.2.
Course section 10.5: Subsections and their intended learning outcomes
10.5 Using Forecasts in Planning
Intended learning outcomes: Produce an overview on the choice of suitable forecasting technique. Describe consumption distributions and their limits, continuous and discontinuous demand. Explain demand forecasting of variants of a product family. Present safety demand calculation for various planning periods. Disclose the translation of forecast into quasi-deterministic demand.
10.5.1 Comparison of Techniques and Choice of Suitable Forecasting Technique
Intended learning outcomes: Differentiate between various areas of applicability of forecasting techniques.
10.5.2 Consumption Distributions and Their Limits
Intended learning outcomes: Identify variables for a consumption distribution. Present expected value and variance of the consumption distribution. Explain distribution function, expected value, and variance of the consumption distribution under the assumption of a Poisson distribution for the frequency of events.
10.5.2b Managing Discontinuous Demand, or Lumpy Demand
Intended learning outcomes: Describe the demand filter to handle a discontinuous demand due to infrequent large issues. Disclose effects of length of statistical period on demand fluctuations.
10.5.3 Demand Forecasting of Variants of a Product Family
Intended learning outcomes: Describe the option percentage. Explain the formulas for forecasting demand for variants.
10.5.4 Safety Demand Calculation for Various Planning Periods
Intended learning outcomes: Identify variables for safety demand calculations. Explain expected value and standard deviation with continuous demand. Describe expected value and standard deviation over n statistical periods.
10.5.5 Translation of Forecast into Quasi-Deterministic Demand and Administration of the Production or Purchase Schedule
Intended learning outcomes: Identify safety demand. Explain independent demand as total demand including safety demand, taken as a function of the planning period to be covered.
