Operations planning is the engine behind every efficient supply chain. Whether you’re managing inventory levels, scheduling production runs, or aligning labor with customer demand, your ability to plan accurately and proactively determines how well your business performs.
To do that effectively, professionals need a deep understanding of forecasting, capacity planning, and production scheduling—and that’s exactly what the Foundations of Operations Planning (POP) course offers.
Developed by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), the POP course is part of their industry-recognized Foundations program, giving learners a clear, structured entry into the world of supply chain operations.
In this article, we’ll break down what the POP course covers, who it’s for, and why mastering operations planning fundamentals is a game-changer for supply chain performance.
🔗 Reference: ASCM Foundations of Operations Planning
What Is the Foundations of Operations Planning (POP) Course?
The Foundations of Operations Planning (POP) is a self-paced, online course offered by ASCM that introduces the essential principles and tools used in effective operations planning.
Learners explore the full planning spectrum—starting with demand forecasting, followed by capacity and resource planning, and finishing with production scheduling.
The POP course gives participants the ability to:
- Translate business goals into production plans
- Balance customer demand with supply constraints
- Optimize resources to reduce waste and delays
- Align operations with service levels and profitability targets
It’s ideal for professionals new to supply chain roles, as well as team members in other departments (finance, sales, IT) who interact with planning functions.
Why Operations Planning Matters?
Operations planning is where data becomes decisions.
Without it, companies face common challenges like:
- Stockouts or excess inventory
- Unbalanced workloads and overtime
- Inability to meet customer delivery deadlines
- Wasted materials or underutilized equipment
Effective planning reduces these issues by forecasting demand, ensuring enough capacity is available, and organizing production tasks efficiently.
In today’s data-driven economy, planning isn’t optional—it’s a strategic necessity.
Who Should Take the POP Course?
This course is designed for:
- Entry-level supply chain and operations professionals
- Production planners and schedulers
- Inventory and capacity analysts
- Cross-functional professionals in finance, IT, or sales
- Students and career-switchers entering the supply chain field
- Warehouse supervisors and manufacturing support staff
No prior experience is needed. The course explains all concepts from the ground up, making it accessible, actionable, and industry-relevant.
Key Learning Areas: What You’ll Learn
Based on the official ASCM curriculum, the POP course covers four essential domains of operations planning:
1. Demand Forecasting
- Why forecasting is critical to planning
- Qualitative vs. quantitative forecasting techniques
- Simple moving average, weighted average, and exponential smoothing
- Forecast accuracy and error measurement (MAD, MAPE, bias)
Why this matters: Accurate forecasts help organizations avoid overproduction, reduce carrying costs, and meet customer expectations.
2. Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)
- Aligning supply and demand through integrated business planning
- Inputs and outputs of the S&OP process
- Cross-functional collaboration in planning
- Short- and long-term demand balancing
Why this matters: S&OP links strategic business goals with operational execution—ensuring alignment across the company.
3. Capacity and Resource Planning
- Types of capacity: design, effective, demonstrated
- Load vs. capacity comparisons
- Rough-cut capacity planning (RCCP)
- Finite vs. infinite capacity approaches
Why this matters: Companies must ensure they have the right amount of people, equipment, and space to meet forecasted demand.
4. Production Scheduling
- Master Production Schedule (MPS) and time fences
- Detailed scheduling and job sequencing
- Bottleneck management and scheduling heuristics
- Just-in-time (JIT), make-to-stock (MTS), and make-to-order (MTO) production systems
Why this matters: Poor scheduling leads to idle time, late deliveries, and operational inefficiencies. Good scheduling keeps everything running smoothly.
Course Format and Features
- Delivery: 100% online, self-paced
- Time Commitment: ~4–6 hours for this module
- Part of: The broader ASCM Foundations program (20–25 hours total)
- Assessment: Quizzes and knowledge checks
- Credential: Digital badge + printable certificate of completion
The course is designed for learners of all backgrounds and includes case studies, interactive simulations, and real-world planning examples.
Key Benefits of the POP Course
Career Advancement
Gain planning skills needed for roles in operations, logistics, supply chain management, and manufacturing.
Cross-Functional Relevance
Learn how planning impacts departments like sales, finance, and production, helping you make better business decisions.
Stronger Job Readiness
Build capabilities employers look for in planners, analysts, and schedulers—without needing a full degree.
Practical, Not Just Theoretical
Apply what you learn immediately with tools and techniques used by real-world supply chain teams.
Industries That Rely on Operations Planning
Operations planning is essential across industries like:
- Manufacturing (automotive, electronics, food)
- Retail and e-commerce
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Aerospace and defense
- Logistics and 3PL providers
- Consumer packaged goods (CPG)
These industries depend on accurate planning to balance inventory, labor, production, and transportation efficiently.
Roles That Use This Knowledge Every Day
The POP course is especially useful for:
- Production Planner
- Inventory Analyst
- Supply Chain Coordinator
- Operations Supervisor
- Demand Planner
- Capacity Analyst
- Sales & Operations Planning Analyst
Even project managers and business analysts benefit from understanding how planning processes influence timing, budgets, and deliverables.
How Trax Group Uses the POP Program?
At Trax Group, we help businesses optimize logistics and operations. One of the first things we evaluate in any supply chain is their planning capability.
Through the ASCM POP course, our clients have:
- Increased forecast accuracy by up to 20%
- Reduced labor overtime by aligning capacity and schedules
- Improved customer service levels with better delivery planning
- Created alignment between finance, sales, and operations via S&OP training
Whether you’re training one planner or an entire team, POP provides a common language and a data-driven approach to operations success.
FAQs: Foundations of Operations Planning (POP)
1. How long does the course take to complete?
This module takes 4 to 6 hours to complete. You’ll have access for 6 months, allowing for flexible learning.
2. Do I need supply chain or planning experience to enroll?
No. The course is beginner-friendly and designed for entry-level professionals or individuals from non-supply chain backgrounds.
3. What certificate will I receive?
You will receive a shareable digital badge and a downloadable certificate from ASCM upon completion.
4. Is this course recognized by employers?
Yes. ASCM is one of the most respected organizations in the field. This certificate adds credibility and value to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
5. Can I take this module alone or only as part of the full Foundations program?
You can take it as a standalone module or as part of the complete Foundations learning path, which includes Inventory, Procurement, Manufacturing, and more.
6. How much does the program cost?
As of the latest update, the full Foundations program is priced at $395 USD for non-members and $295 for ASCM members. Individual module pricing may vary.
7. Can I enroll a group or train a team?
Yes. ASCM and partners like Trax Group offer team licenses, LMS integration, and tracking dashboards for enterprise training programs.
Why Strong Planning Is the Core of Supply Chain Success?
A great product, fast logistics, or a responsive customer service team can’t succeed if planning is broken. When forecasting is inaccurate, capacity is misaligned, or scheduling is inconsistent, the entire supply chain suffers.
That’s why the Foundations of Operations Planning (POP) is more than just a course—it’s a critical capability for future-ready professionals.
Ready to Build Smarter Planning Skills?
Enroll in ASCM’s Foundations of Operations Planning
Or contact Trax Group to train your planning teams and align your operations for better performance.
Plan smarter. Schedule faster. Deliver better.
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