# 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.

- Topic: Data & Analysis
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Sales, Analyze, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/find-the-root-cause-of-repeated-stockouts

## Prompt

```text
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.
```

## 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

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.