What is one characteristic of a demand management strategy?

A demand management strategy is primarily focused on ensuring that inventory levels align closely with actual product demand. By aligning inventory with demand, organizations can minimize excess stock, reduce carrying costs, and increase operational efficiency. This approach allows businesses to respond more effectively to market fluctuations, customer preferences, and demand surges or declines.

In contrast, relying solely on traditional purchasing methods would not take into account the dynamic nature of demand and could lead to mismatches between stock levels and actual needs. Encouraging the purchase of excess inventory conflicts directly with the goals of demand management, which seeks to optimize inventory levels rather than inflate them. Lastly, while historical data is important for demand forecasting, relying exclusively on it can be limiting. An effective demand management strategy incorporates a variety of data sources—such as market trends, seasonal variations, and real-time analytics—to make informed decisions. Thus, aligning inventory with actual product demand is a fundamental principle of effective demand management.