Item Planning Parameter Review Worksheet
Many MRP problems are really master data problems: a stale lead time, a lot rule nobody remembers choosing, a safety stock that was right three years ago. This worksheet gives you a structured review of the parameters planning actually uses.
| Item | Planner code | Lot rule | Lead time (days) | Safety stock | Minimum order qty | Monthly usage | Safety cover | Lead time demand | Review result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 days | 186.67 | |||||||||
0 days | 88 | |||||||||
45 days | 420 | |||||||||
10 days | 84 |
Safety cover in days = safety stock divided by daily usage (monthly usage over 30). Compare it with supplier reliability and demand variability before changing a value. Use your own policy for which cover is acceptable.
Audit planning data at scale
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How to use it
Export a sample of items from your ERP, for example your top spend, your most frequent exceptions or one planner's list. Enter lot rule, lead time, safety stock, minimum order and average monthly usage. The sheet computes safety stock in days of cover and the demand during lead time. Pick a review result per item and use Excel export as the change request list for master data.
- Start with the items that generate the most exceptions
- Compare ERP lead time with actual receipts
- Record who approved each change
- Re-run the sheet after a policy change
What the numbers tell you
Safety cover well above lead time suggests excess stock; cover of a few days on an erratic item suggests exposure. Lead time demand shows how much stock flows through during the replenishment period, so a minimum order far above it signals potential overstock. These are screening tools, not decisions. A rarely used critical spare may rightly hold many months of cover, and a make-to-order item may rightly hold none.
Mistakes and ERP notes
Avoid changing many parameters at once, since you then cannot tell which change moved the exception count. Check the MRP type in SAP (MARC fields such as lot size, planned delivery time and safety stock), the planning policy in Epicor part planning, and the order policy in SyteLine. Beware planner groups copied from old items, rounding values that silently inflate quantities, and lead times entered in the wrong unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many items should I review at once?
Start with 20 to 50 items that drive the most exceptions or spend. A small, documented change set is easier to validate than a mass update across the whole item master.
How do I choose the right lot rule?
Lot for lot suits expensive or low volume items; fixed quantity or minimum suits items with real setup or supplier minimums; period of supply suits regular usage. Test with your own cost data.
Is safety cover the same as a service level?
No. Cover in days is a simple ratio. A service level approach also uses demand variability and lead time variability. Use a safety stock calculator for that.
Can I load the results back into the ERP?
Export to Excel, then use your ERP's normal mass change or import tool with approval. Always test on a small set first.
Netray can help compare ERP planning parameters against actual receipt and usage history using read-only access.
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Keep exploring
Free tools
- Infor M3 Item Planning Parameter WorksheetWork out safety stock and reorder point for each item and warehouse before loading planning parameters into M3.
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- Inventory Planning Parameter Change Request TemplateA controlled request form for changing safety stock, reorder point, min-max or lot size, with rationale, impact and approvals.
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- NetSuite MRP Not Generating Planned Orders: Causes and FixesWhy NetSuite supply planning creates no planned orders: item planning fields, time fences, lead time, lot sizing, demand source, and how to firm and release.
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Guides
- Infor LN MRP Planning Setup and Parameter ConfigurationConfigure MRP planning in Infor LN with planning parameters, order policies, safety stock rules, and demand pegging for optimal material requirements.
- SyteLine MRP Parameters Tuning Guide for ManufacturingOptimize SyteLine MRP parameters including order policies, lot sizing, safety stock, and lead times for accurate material requirements planning results.
- SyteLine Safety Stock Calculation Methods and Setup GuideConfigure safety stock calculations in Infor SyteLine using statistical methods, service level targets, and demand variability for optimal buffer inventory.
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