Strengthen Your AOP Before Planning Begins

The success of an annual operating plan (AOP) is often determined months before formal planning starts. Yet many consumer products organizations enter the process with fragmented data, conflicting assumptions, and limited alignment across finance, sales, marketing, trade, supply chain, and operations.

The result? Lengthy planning cycles, late-stage revisions, and plans that quickly become disconnected from execution.

Our Annual Operating Plan Checklist helps cross-functional teams establish a stronger foundation before the planning cycle begins.

A Practical Framework for AOP Readiness

Designed specifically for consumer products manufacturers, this checklist helps teams evaluate the people, processes, data, and assumptions that drive planning effectiveness.

Inside, you’ll find guidance to assess key aspects of the framework, from strategic alignment and growth priorities to forecasting and demand planning readiness, and on to scenario planning capabilities.

Identify Risks Early and Improve Planning Alignment

This checklist is designed to facilitate productive discussions across functional teams, uncover planning gaps, and create a shared understanding before the annual operating process formally begins.

Whether you’re preparing for the next planning cycle or looking to modernize your approach, this resource can help increase planning confidence and support more informal decision-making.