Find the root cause of repeated stockouts
Works through demand, parameters, lead time, and execution data to pinpoint why items keep running out, with specific fixes.
The prompt
Help me find out why certain items keep stocking out.
Items affected: [SKUS, LOCATIONS, HOW OFTEN AND HOW LONG THEY STOCK OUT]
Demand history: [WEEKLY OR MONTHLY SALES, AND FORECAST FOR THE SAME PERIODS]
Planning parameters: [REORDER POINT, SAFETY STOCK, MIN/MAX, ORDER QUANTITY, REVIEW FREQUENCY]
Lead times: [PLANNED VS. ACTUAL FOR RECENT ORDERS]
Supplier performance: [ON-TIME, IN-FULL %, SHORT SHIPMENTS]
Inventory accuracy: [CYCLE COUNT RESULTS, SYSTEM VS. PHYSICAL GAPS]
Recent changes: [NEW CUSTOMERS, PROMOTIONS, PRICE CHANGES, SYSTEM CHANGES]
Test each possible cause against the data and tell me which the evidence supports:
- Forecast error or bias (consistently under-forecasting).
- Demand variability higher than safety stock covers.
- Actual lead time longer or more variable than planned.
- Supplier short shipments or late deliveries.
- Parameters not updated after demand changed.
- Inventory record errors (system shows stock that isn't there).
- Orders placed late (planner workload, approval delays, MOQ hesitation).
- Stock held at the wrong location.
Use only the data I give. If a cause can't be tested, say what data would test it. Do not invent figures.
Return:
1. A ranked list of root causes with the evidence for each.
2. A table: SKU | Main cause | Fix | Expected impact.
3. Quick fixes this week vs. structural fixes this quarter.
4. A simple exception report to catch the next stockout before it happens.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Data & Analysis prompts
What to fill in
- SKUS, LOCATIONS, HOW OFTEN AND HOW LONG THEY STOCK OUT
- WEEKLY OR MONTHLY SALES, AND FORECAST FOR THE SAME PERIODS
- PLANNED VS. ACTUAL FOR RECENT ORDERS
- ON-TIME, IN-FULL %, SHORT SHIPMENTS
- CYCLE COUNT RESULTS, SYSTEM VS. PHYSICAL GAPS
- NEW CUSTOMERS, PROMOTIONS, PRICE CHANGES, SYSTEM CHANGES
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the RTF structure (Role, Task, Format). RTF tells the model who to be, what to do and what shape the answer should take. It is the quickest structure that still gives noticeably better results than a bare request.
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