The bullwhip effect in supply chain management refers to when fluctuations in demand at the retail level cause progressively larger fluctuations in demand at the wholesale, distributor, manufacturer and raw material supplier levels. A small fluctuation at the retail level can cause larger and larger fluctuations as it moves up the supply chain.
This can lead to a number of problems at different points in the supply chain, such as excess stock, which must be stored and, in some cases, may go to waste, inaccurate demand forecasts and failure to meet production schedules, all of which can result in unfulfilled orders and lost revenue.
What causes the bullwhip effect?
Well, it can be caused by several different factors, however the most common ones are:
Sales and price fluctuations
Discounts cause a short-lived increase in demand, which is often followed by lower levels of sales. As the effect of the increase travels up the supply chain, it results in the bullwhip effect.
Forecast errors
Forecasting errors lead to miscalculations that are likely to be magnified as they move up the supply chain. Failure to take lead time into account when managing inventory can also lead to overstocking of products.
Order batching
Order bundling means the retailer places larger and less frequent orders with its supplier, which, over time, creates an inconsistent demand for the supplier. Ordering small quantities more often and consistently creates less of a whiplash effect than making bulk orders less frequently.
So now that we know what causes the bullwhip effect.
What steps can we take to avoid it?
Optimize order sizes
One important way to avoid the bullwhip effect is to make consistent, smaller order sizes. It may be tempting to offer sales and discounts, but it also unnecessarily increases inventory levels and magnifies the bullwhip effect. By promoting orders based on customer needs rather than bulk discounts, you can help to mitigate the bullwhip effect.
Less suppliers
Streamlining your supply chain by reducing the number of suppliers, for example, is another way to avoid problems in the supply chain. The fewer tiers your supply chain has, the easier it will be to maintain everyone well-informed and avoid unnecessary fluctuations.
Communication between the partners
Communication is also key to avoiding the bullwhip effect. Building a strong relationship with the different suppliers in your supply chain and sharing knowledge between the different partners will help prevent waste and promote efficiency.
Applies technology
Technology is your friend when it comes to avoiding the bullwhip effect.
The use of supply chain automation technology helps link all aspects of the supply chain and consolidate communication channels, and inventory management software will help you keep track of stock levels, orders, and demand. This will enable more accurate ordering from suppliers and reduce the fluctuations that cause the whiplash effect.
The bullwhip effect exists in all supply chains and is the root of many of the problems experienced in supply chain management. Left unchecked, it can have disastrous effects on a business, which is why it’s so important to manage it proactively. Although most supply chains will experience the bullwhip effect to some extent, the most serious problems arise as a result of long-term mismanagement.
