When supply fails.
WHAT TO DO FIRST
Establish the facts: what is affected, how much, for how long.
WHY THE DURATION QUESTION
It determines whether to wait or to act.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What you hold What is in transit What demand is committed How long you can continue
WHY THAT SEQUENCE
It establishes how much time you have.
WHAT TO DO WITH THAT TIME
Secure alternatives Communicate with customers Prioritise allocation
WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALTERNATIVES
Contact qualified alternatives first.
WHY
They can supply sooner than unknown sources.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Unknown suppliers appearing during a shortage.
WHY
Shortages attract fraud and substandard material.
WHAT TO VERIFY
Any new supplier, even under pressure.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ALLOCATION
Which customers are served first.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Contractual commitments Customer importance Consequence to them
WHAT TO DO ABOUT CUSTOMERS
Tell them early, with what you know.
WHY EARLY
They can plan, and they discover it otherwise.
WHAT TO AVOID
Promising supply you cannot guarantee Silence Accepting orders you cannot fulfil
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Revised dates, honestly.
WHAT TO RECORD
The disruption, its cause, and what was done.
WHAT TO REVIEW AFTERWARDS
Whether the risk was foreseeable Whether alternatives existed How long it took to respond
WHAT TO CHANGE
Whatever left you exposed.
