The SAP IBP for sales and operations (S&OP) process is a formal, integrated business management process. Within this framework, the Consensus Demand Plan is a foundational element. It is the single, agreed-upon forecast resulting from the demand review meeting, where inputs from sales, marketing, and finance are reconciled. This plan serves as the primary input for supply planning. Concurrently, the Inventory Plan, which includes safety stock targets and projected inventory levels, is critically reviewed during the supply and reconciliation steps. It is essential for balancing supply with demand, managing working capital, and ensuring service level targets are met. Both are central data artifacts reviewed throughout the S&OP cycle.

A. Global Demand Plan: This term is less precise. The "Consensus Demand Plan" is the specific, reconciled output from the S&OP demand review step that drives subsequent planning.

B. Constrained Demand plan: This is an output of the supply review or reconciliation steps, representing what can be supplied, rather than a primary input reviewed at the start of the process.

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SAP Integrated Business Planning for Supply Chain

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SAP IBP for Sales and Operations

The S&OP Process: This official documentation outlines the standard five-step S&OP process.

Demand Review Step: "The outcome of this meeting is a consensus demand plan." This directly supports option D.

Supply Review Step: "During the supply review

you review the consensus demand plan... You also check key figures such as capacity utilization

inventory projections

and supplier capacity." This confirms the review of the Inventory Plan (projections)

supporting option C.

2. SAP Help Portal

SAP Integrated Business Planning for Supply Chain

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SAP IBP for Sales and Operations

Sample Planning Area SAPIBP1

Key Figures for S&OP: The standard SAPIBP1 planning area includes key figures like "Consensus Demand" and various inventory-related key figures such as "Projected Stock

" "Safety Stock

" and "Target Inventory Position

" demonstrating their centrality to the process.