Course overview
Demand planning is the supply chain's attempt to see the future well enough to prepare for it. Get it roughly right and the chain runs smoothly; get it wrong and the result is stockouts, excess inventory, and firefighting up and down the network. This course explains how demand is forecast and how that forecast is turned into a plan the whole supply chain can act on.
The focus is on forecasting methods and models, integrating demand planning into operations, managing variability and uncertainty, and the digital tools and collaboration that improve accuracy. It treats forecasting as a discipline of structured estimation and continuous improvement, not a search for a perfect number that does not exist.
Why demand planning matters
Every supply chain decision, from purchasing to production to distribution, rests on an assumption about demand, and a poor forecast propagates that error through the whole network. The bullwhip effect amplifies small demand swings into large swings in orders and inventory upstream.
Good demand planning does not eliminate uncertainty, but it manages it: choosing the right methods, measuring accuracy honestly, and building plans that cope with variability. The payoff is better service at lower inventory cost. This course builds that capability.
What you will be able to do afterwards
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Explain the role of demand planning in the supply chain.
- Apply appropriate forecasting methods and models.
- Integrate demand planning into supply chain operations.
- Manage demand variability and forecast uncertainty.
- Use digital tools and collaboration to improve accuracy.
Course outline
Unit 1: Fundamentals of demand planning
The course opens with why demand planning matters.
- The role of demand planning in the supply chain.
- How forecast error propagates and the bullwhip effect.
- The demand planning process.
- Documented examples of demand planning.
Unit 2: Forecasting methods and models
This unit covers how forecasts are made.
- Qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Time series and causal models.
- Choosing the right method for the situation.
- Measuring forecast accuracy.
Unit 3: Integrating demand planning into supply chain operations
This unit connects the forecast to action.
- Linking forecasts to purchasing and production.
- Sales and operations planning.
- Inventory and service-level decisions, alongside Supply Chain Analytics and AI Optimization.
- Aligning the chain around one plan.
Unit 4: Managing demand variability and uncertainty
Uncertainty is the real challenge, the focus here.
- Sources of demand variability.
- Safety stock and buffering.
- Planning for seasonality and promotions.
- Coping with disruption.
Unit 5: Digital tools and analytics in forecasting
This unit covers technology in forecasting.
- Forecasting and planning systems.
- Analytics and machine learning in forecasting.
- Demand sensing and real-time data.
- Where digital tools add value.
Unit 6: Collaborative planning and stakeholder engagement
This unit covers planning across functions and partners.
- Collaboration across sales, operations, and finance.
- Collaborative planning with customers and suppliers.
- Reconciling different views of demand.
- Building consensus on the plan.
Unit 7: Continuous improvement in forecasting
The final unit covers getting better over time.
- Tracking and learning from forecast error.
- Improving methods and data.
- Forecast governance and review.
- Building a forecasting culture.
How the course is delivered
The course is led through structured explanation, worked examples, and documented supply chain case studies. Participants examine forecasts, accuracy measures, and planning approaches and discuss the decisions behind them, then relate each to their own operation. The course is educational and does not provide certification.
Who should attend
This course suits demand and supply planners, supply chain and operations staff, procurement and inventory managers, and sales and finance staff involved in planning. It is useful both to those new to demand planning and to experienced staff who want a more rigorous method. No advanced statistical background is assumed.
About EuroQuest International Training
EuroQuest International Training was founded in 2015 by a team with more than 25 years of combined experience in professional training. The institute has delivered over 1,000 courses to more than 15,000 participants, and is headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, with training hubs in Dubai, London, Barcelona, Istanbul, Vienna, Paris, and Geneva. Courses are designed and reviewed by practitioners and updated to reflect current practice in each field.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be good at statistics?
No. The course explains forecasting methods in practical terms, focusing on choosing the right approach, measuring accuracy, and acting on forecasts, rather than on the underlying mathematics.
Does it cover sales and operations planning?
Yes. A unit deals with integrating demand planning into operations, including sales and operations planning, because a forecast only adds value when the whole chain acts on one agreed plan.
Is the course tied to specific software?
No. It explains the role of forecasting and planning tools in general terms. The methods transfer to any platform, which the course does not endorse or depend on.
Related courses
- Inventory Planning & Optimization for Supply Chains
- Predictive Analytics & Demand Forecasting in Logistics
- Supply Chain and Logistics Optimization
- Supply Chain Risk Management and Contingency Planning
Register for this course
To reserve a place or ask about scheduling and city options for the Demand Planning & Forecasting in Supply Chain Management course, use the registration and enquiry options on this page and the EuroQuest team will follow up with the details you need.
All Course Dates & Locations
29 dates · 15 cities · Sep 2026 – Jun 2027