Supply chain planning is the process of determining the most efficient and cost-effective way to move a product from creation to consumption. It requires a keen understanding of market opportunities, customer needs, and supply chain trends to create the best possible plan for each step of the process. The steps used to plan efficient supply chains are:

1. Analyzing Supply-Demand Dynamics – Evaluating customer demand with the capacity of suppliers to meet this demand.
2. Creating Production & Capacity Planning – Determining production goals and scheduling resources to maximize efficiency.
3. Establishing Fulfillment Strategies – Creating processes such as packaging, warehouse routing and managing shipping carriers.
4. Developing Sourcing Strategies – Assessing supplier capabilities and creating strategies to minimize costs while maximizing quality.
5. Overseeing Inventory Management – Ensuring that inventory levels remain at the right size and adjusting them in accordance with market conditions.
6. Monitoring & Reviewing Performance – Measuring the success of supply chain strategies and identifying areas for improvement.