We’ve shipped 20+ templates to help you surface real risks, fast. Below is a breakdown of all current templates categorized by the key risk areas and activity types they help identify.
Most Popular
These are the most broadly useful templates. They flag common issues that apply to nearly all tenants and are easy to act on.
Template | What It Flags | Why It Matters | Search Keywords | How to Use This Rule |
Desynced Min/Max | Identifies items where the min-max values in Recurrency don't match the values from your ERP system, indicating a synchronization issue between the two systems. | When min-max values are out of sync between systems, you're making planning decisions based on potentially outdated or incorrect data. This can lead to stockouts if the ERP has higher values than Recurrency, or excess inventory if the ERP has lower values. | system sync, min-max mismatch, ERP sync, data consistency, system alignment | This is a data synchronization priority. When flagged, compare the values between systems to determine which is correct, then update the out-of-sync system. Consider implementing automated sync processes to prevent future mismatches. |
No Lead Time | Identifies items that have demand but have a lead time of zero, indicating missing or incorrect supplier lead time data. | Lead time is critical for inventory planning - it determines when you need to reorder to avoid stockouts. When lead time is zero for items with demand, your reorder calculations will be incorrect, potentially leading to stockouts or unnecessary expedited orders. | missing lead time, zero lead time, supplier lead time, reorder planning, stockout risk | This is a data quality action item. When flagged, investigate why the lead time is zero - is it missing supplier data, a new item, or a data entry error? Update the lead time with the correct supplier information to ensure accurate reorder planning. |
Min = Max | Identifies items where the minimum and maximum stock levels are set to the same value, creating a fixed stocking level with no flexibility for demand variations. | When min equals max, you have no buffer for demand spikes or supply delays. This rigid approach can lead to stockouts during high demand periods or excess inventory during low demand, as the system can't adjust to changing conditions. | fixed stocking, min max equal, rigid levels, no flexibility, stocking buffer | This is a planning review action item. When flagged, evaluate whether these items should have a buffer between min and max levels to accommodate demand variability. Consider adjusting the levels to provide flexibility while maintaining appropriate service levels. |
Min < Most Common Usage | Identifies items where the recommended minimum stock level is less than the most common usage quantity from the past 12 months, suggesting the min level may be too low. | If your minimum stock level is below what you typically use in a single transaction, you're likely to experience stockouts. This means you'll frequently dip below your safety stock, leaving you vulnerable to unexpected demand or supply delays. | min too low, safety stock, common usage, stockout risk, minimum level | This is a planning review action item. When flagged, evaluate whether the current minimum level is appropriate given your typical usage patterns. Consider increasing the minimum to at least match your most common usage quantity to reduce stockout risk |
Min < Lead Time Demand | Identifies items where the minimum stock level is less than the expected demand during the lead time period, indicating insufficient safety stock. | When minimum stock doesn't cover lead time demand, you're at high risk of stockouts. During the time it takes to receive a new order, you'll likely run out of inventory, leading to lost sales, expedited ordering costs, and poor customer service. | insufficient safety stock, lead time coverage, stockout risk, minimum level, safety buffer | This is a stop-the-world action item. When flagged, immediately review and increase the minimum stock levels for these items to ensure they cover expected demand during the lead time period. This prevents stockouts and maintains proper service levels. |
Negative Inventory On-Hand | Identifies items where the on-hand inventory quantity is less than zero, indicating a data integrity issue or system error. | Negative inventory suggests either a data entry error, system glitch, or serious inventory management problems. This can lead to incorrect planning decisions, customer service issues, and financial discrepancies. | negative inventory, data integrity, system error, inventory discrepancy, on-hand error | This is a stop-the-world data integrity issue. Immediately investigate the root cause - check for data entry errors, system issues, or missing transactions. Correct the inventory records and implement controls to prevent future occurrences. |
Demand Signal Shift
These templates help you identify when reality is drifting from what the forecast expects, whether the issue is an overperformer, an underperformer, or a sudden spike.
Template | What It Flags | Why It Matters | Search Keywords | How to Use This Rule |
Recent Demand but No PO in 60 Days | Identifies items that have had sales activity in the last 60 days but no corresponding purchase orders during the same period, suggesting a replenishment gap. | When items are being sold but not reordered, you're depleting existing inventory without a replenishment plan. This will eventually lead to stockouts and potential lost sales. It could indicate forgotten items, planning oversights, or items that should be discontinued. | no reorders, replenishment gap, missing PO, demand without supply, stockout risk | This is a stop-the-world action item. Immediately review these items to determine if they should be discontinued, if you need to place orders, or if there's a data issue with purchase order tracking. Don't let these items slip through the cracks. |
High Max (365+ Days) | Identifies items where the maximum stock level would provide more than 365 days of supply based on current daily demand, indicating the max level is oversized and likely outdated. | When your max level is set too high relative to actual demand, you're tying up capital in excess inventory that could take over a year to sell. This suggests the max level was set during a different demand period or hasn't been updated to reflect current usage patterns. | oversized max, excess inventory, outdated levels, capital tied up, overstock risk | This is a planning review action item. When flagged, evaluate whether the current max level reflects actual demand patterns. Consider reducing the max level to free up capital and reduce carrying costs, especially if demand has decreased since the level was originally set. |
Recurrency Forecast Evaluation -Forecast Breach | Identifies items where month-to-date usage is more than 150% of the forecast for the current month, but only triggers before the 20th of the month to catch early warning signs. | When usage dramatically exceeds forecast early in the month, it signals either a forecasting model issue or a significant change in demand patterns. This early warning helps you identify potential stockout risks before they become critical, giving you time to adjust plans or place expedited orders. | forecast breach, early warning, demand spike, forecasting accuracy, stockout risk | This is an immediate action item for demand review. When flagged, investigate what's driving the higher-than-expected usage - is it a new customer, market trend, or forecasting model issue? Consider adjusting the forecast or placing additional orders to prevent stockouts later in the month. |
Recurrency Forecast Evaluation -Forecast Undershoot Late in Month | Identifies items where month-to-date usage is less than 30% of the forecast for the current month, but only triggers after the 20th of the month when the forecast was significant (≥$10). | When usage is dramatically below forecast late in the month, it suggests either the forecasting model was too optimistic or demand patterns have changed. This can lead to excess inventory and wasted capital if the trend continues, especially for items with meaningful forecast values. | forecast undershoot, low usage, excess inventory, forecasting accuracy, demand decline | This is a forecasting review action item. When flagged, investigate why usage is so much lower than expected - has demand shifted, is there a seasonal pattern, or does the forecasting model need adjustment? Consider reducing future forecasts or investigating if there are external factors affecting demand. |
Recurrency Forecast Evaluation- Early Month Acceleration | Identifies high-value items (≥$50 unit cost) where month-to-date usage exceeds 60% of the monthly forecast within the first 10 days of the month, indicating rapid early-month consumption. | When expensive items are being consumed much faster than expected early in the month, you face significant financial risk. These items represent substantial capital investment, and rapid consumption could lead to stockouts and potential expedited ordering costs, or indicate a demand pattern that needs immediate attention. | early acceleration, high-value items, rapid consumption, expensive stockouts, demand spike | This is a stop-the-world action item for high-value inventory. When flagged, immediately assess whether this represents a new demand pattern or a one-time event. Consider placing additional orders for these expensive items to prevent stockouts, and investigate what's driving the accelerated consumption. |
Forecast = 0 but Item Is Stocked | Identifies items that are set up as stockable in your system but Recurrency's forecast model predicts zero demand for the next 6 months. | When you're carrying inventory for items with no forecasted demand, you're tying up capital in potentially dead stock. This could indicate items that should be discontinued, items with incorrect stocking parameters, or forecasting models that need adjustment for these specific items. | zero forecast, dead stock, no demand, stocked items, capital tied up | This is a planning review action item. When flagged, investigate whether these items should remain stocked - are they seasonal items, new items that need time to establish demand, or items that should be discontinued? Consider adjusting stocking parameters or discontinuing items that truly have no future demand. |
Actuals > Forecast 3+ Months in a Row | Identifies items where actual sales have consistently exceeded forecasts for 3 or more consecutive months, indicating a systematic forecasting issue. | When actuals consistently beat forecasts, it suggests either the forecasting model is too conservative or there's been a fundamental shift in demand patterns. This can lead to frequent stockouts, expedited ordering costs, and poor customer service if the trend continues. | forecast undershoot, consistent overperformance, forecasting model, demand shift, stockout risk | This is a forecasting model review action item. When flagged, investigate whether this represents a new demand baseline or if the forecasting model needs adjustment. Consider updating the forecast parameters or manually adjusting forecasts to reflect the new demand reality and prevent future stockouts. |
Forecasted but No Demand in 6+ Months | Identifies items where the forecasting model predicts demand but there have been no actual sales in the past 6 months, suggesting the forecast is incorrect or the item is no longer needed. | When items are forecasted but show no actual demand, you're potentially planning for inventory that won't sell. This can lead to excess inventory, wasted capital, and poor forecasting model performance. It suggests either the item should be discontinued or the forecasting model needs adjustment. | no demand, forecast error, dead stock, excess inventory, forecasting accuracy | This is a forecasting review action item. When flagged, investigate whether these items should remain in your catalog - are they seasonal items waiting for their season, items that should be discontinued, or items with incorrect forecasting parameters? Consider discontinuing items or adjusting the forecasting model to prevent future excess inventory. |
12-Month High > 6-Month Forecast High | Identifies items where the highest historical demand in the past 12 months exceeds the highest forecasted demand for the next 6 months, suggesting the forecast ceiling is too low. | When historical peaks exceed forecast peaks, the forecasting model may be too conservative and not accounting for potential demand spikes. This can lead to stockouts during high-demand periods if the forecast doesn't prepare you for realistic demand scenarios. | forecast ceiling, historical peaks, conservative forecast, demand spikes, stockout risk | This is a forecasting review action item. When flagged, investigate whether the forecasting model needs adjustment to account for historical demand patterns. Consider whether the forecast should be increased to better reflect potential demand scenarios and prevent stockouts during peak periods. |
12-Month Low < 6-Month Forecast Low | Identifies items where the lowest historical demand in the past 12 months is below the lowest forecasted demand for the next 6 months, suggesting the forecast floor is too high. | When historical lows are below forecast lows, the forecasting model may be too optimistic and not accounting for potential demand drops. This can lead to excess inventory if the forecast doesn't reflect realistic low-demand scenarios. | forecast floor, historical lows, optimistic forecast, excess inventory, demand drops | This is a forecasting review action item. When flagged, investigate whether the forecasting model needs adjustment to account for historical demand patterns. Consider whether the forecast should be reduced to better reflect potential low-demand scenarios and prevent excess inventory during slow periods. |
Mismatched Stocking Strategy
These templates surface disconnects between how an item is set up to behave and how it's actually behaving, often pointing to configuration or replenishment logic issues.
Template | What It Flags | Why It Matters | Search Keywords | How to Use This Rule |
Sparse Item with Min/Max | Identifies sparse demand items (3 or fewer months with demand in the past year) that have minimum and/or maximum stock levels set, suggesting they may be overstocked. | Sparse items by definition have unpredictable, low-volume demand. When these items have stocking levels set, you're likely carrying excess inventory for items that may not sell for months. This ties up capital and warehouse space unnecessarily. | sparse demand, excess inventory, low volume items, overstocked, capital tied up | This is a planning review action item. When flagged, evaluate whether these sparse items should have stocking levels at all. Consider removing min/max levels and using a different replenishment strategy (like order-to-order) to reduce excess inventory and free up capital. |
Items with 1 Hit in 12 Months | Identifies items that had demand in only 1 month out of the past 12 but still have positive net stock, indicating potentially dead inventory. | When items barely move but still have inventory, they represent dead stock that's tying up capital and warehouse space. These items may be obsolete, discontinued, or no longer needed by your customers, yet you're still carrying the cost of holding them. | dead stock, single hit, barely moved, obsolete inventory, capital tied up | This is a stop-the-world action item for inventory cleanup. When flagged, immediately investigate whether these items should be discontinued, liquidated, or returned to suppliers. This can free up significant capital and warehouse space while improving inventory turnover metrics. |
Replenishment Method Desynced | Identifies stockable items where the replenishment method in your ERP system doesn't match the method currently being used in Recurrency, indicating a synchronization issue between systems. | When replenishment methods are out of sync between systems, you're potentially using different planning logic than what's configured in your ERP. This can lead to inconsistent ordering behavior, stockouts, or excess inventory depending on which method is correct and which system is actually driving your replenishment decisions. | replenishment sync, method mismatch, system alignment, ERP sync, planning consistency | This is a system configuration priority. When flagged, determine which replenishment method is correct for each item and update the out-of-sync system. This ensures consistent planning logic across your systems and prevents ordering discrepancies. |
Primary Supplier Matches Most Recent Order | Identifies items where the primary supplier doesn't match the supplier from the most recent purchase order in the last 12 months, indicating a potential supplier relationship change. | When your primary supplier doesn't match recent ordering activity, it suggests either a supplier relationship has changed or the primary supplier designation is outdated. This can lead to ordering from the wrong supplier, incorrect lead times, or missed supplier-specific pricing and terms. | supplier mismatch, primary supplier, recent orders, supplier change, procurement issue | This is a supplier relationship review action item. When flagged, investigate whether the primary supplier should be updated to match recent ordering patterns, or if recent orders were exceptions that shouldn't change the primary supplier designation. This ensures consistent supplier relationships and accurate procurement planning. |
Active Usage But Not Marked for Stocked | Identifies items that have consistent monthly usage (3+ months in the last 6 months) but are either not marked as stockable or lack a replenishment method. | When items are actively being used but not set up for proper stocking, you're likely experiencing frequent stockouts and manual ordering processes. This suggests these items should be converted to stockable items with proper replenishment planning to improve service levels and reduce ordering overhead. | non-stock items, active usage, missing replenishment, stockout risk, manual ordering | This is a planning review action item. When flagged, evaluate whether these items should be converted to stockable items with proper replenishment methods. This can improve service levels, reduce manual ordering, and prevent stockouts for items with consistent demand patterns. |
Stocked Item, No Usage or PO in 12+ Months | Identifies stockable items with on-hand inventory that have had no sales or purchase order activity for 12 months or more, indicating potentially dead stock. | When items have been completely idle for a year despite having inventory, they represent dead stock that's tying up capital and warehouse space. This suggests these items may be obsolete, discontinued, or no longer needed by your customers. | dead stock, idle inventory, no activity, obsolete items, capital tied up | This is a stop-the-world action item for inventory cleanup. When flagged, immediately investigate whether these items should be discontinued, liquidated, or returned to suppliers. This can free up significant capital and warehouse space while improving inventory turnover metrics. |
Stocked Item with Forecast = 0 | Identifies items that are set up as stockable in your system but Recurrency's forecast model predicts zero demand for the next 6 months. | When you're carrying inventory for items with no forecasted demand, you're tying up capital in potentially dead stock. This could indicate items that should be discontinued, items with incorrect stocking parameters, or forecasting models that need adjustment for these specific items. | zero forecast, dead stock, no demand, stocked items, capital tied up | This is a planning review action item. When flagged, investigate whether these items should remain stocked - are they seasonal items, new items that need time to establish demand, or items that should be discontinued? Consider adjusting stocking parameters or discontinuing items that truly have no future demand. |
Hit and Customer Exceptions
These templates identify erratic usage patterns, especially when tied to specific customers or sudden spikes that standard logic might miss.
Template | What It Flags | Why It Matters | Search Keywords | How to Use this Rule |
Recurrency Forecast Evaluation- Multi-SKU Spike Cluster | Identifies when 3 or more items from the same supplier at the same location are all experiencing usage above their forecast for the current month. | When multiple items from a single supplier are all spiking simultaneously, it could indicate a supplier issue, a broader market trend, or a systematic forecasting problem. This pattern suggests the supplier relationship or market conditions may need attention. | supplier spike, multi-item spike, supplier cluster, forecast breach, supplier issues | This is an immediate action item for supplier relationship review. When flagged, investigate whether the supplier is experiencing delays, quality issues, or if there's a broader market trend affecting their product line. Consider reaching out to the supplier proactively. |
Recurrency Forecast Evaluation- Spike Pattern on Sparse Item | Identifies sparse demand items that have received 2 or more orders in the current calendar month, indicating unusual activity for items that typically have very low, infrequent demand. | Sparse items by definition have unpredictable, low-volume demand. When they suddenly receive multiple orders in a month, it could signal a new customer need, a market shift, or potentially a data quality issue. This unexpected activity requires immediate attention to prevent stockouts. | sparse demand, multiple orders, demand spike, low volume items, unexpected activity | This is a stop-the-world action item. Immediately review these items to understand what's driving the unusual activity, assess if you need to increase safety stock, and determine if this represents a new demand pattern or a one-time event. |
High Usage But Never Reordered | Identifies items with recent sales activity (within 12 months) but no purchase orders in the last 6 months, suggesting items are being consumed without replenishment planning. | These items are running on borrowed time - they have inventory to sell but no replenishment strategy. You'll eventually stock out and potentially lose sales or customers. | no reorders, high usage, missing PO, replenishment gap, stockout risk | This is a stop-the-world action item. Immediately review these items to determine if they should be discontinued, if you need to place orders, or if there's a data issue with purchase order tracking. |
Customer-Specific SKU with Spikey Demand | Identifies items where a specific company has highly erratic month-over-month demand patterns, with demand varying by 150% or more from the average over the last 6 months. | When a single company drives unpredictable demand spikes for specific SKUs, it makes inventory planning nearly impossible. You end up constantly scrambling to fulfill unexpected large orders while carrying excess inventory during quiet periods. | erratic demand, company volatility, demand spikes, unpredictable orders, company usage | This is primarily an awareness tool for strategic planning. Use it to identify which company-SKU combinations have historically been volatile, so you can factor this behavior into your safety stock calculations and forecasting models. |
Consistent Undershoot for One Customer | Identifies items where a specific customer has consistently used less than forecasted for 3 or more months over the past 6 months. | When a customer consistently underutilizes their forecast, it suggests either the forecasting model is too optimistic for this customer, the customer's needs have changed, or there's a relationship issue. This can lead to excess inventory and poor forecasting accuracy. | forecast undershoot, customer underutilization, forecast accuracy, customer demand, excess inventory | This is a forecasting review action item. Investigate why this customer is consistently below forecast - have their needs changed, is there a relationship issue, or does the forecasting model need adjustment for this customer? Consider revising the forecast or discussing the pattern with the customer. |
Item Was Inactive, Now Active | Identifies items that had very low activity (1 or fewer orders) in the past 6 months but now have 2 or more orders in the current month. | Items transitioning from low to high activity represent a significant change in demand patterns. This could indicate a new customer need, market shift, or seasonal demand that wasn't captured in your planning. These items need immediate attention to prevent stockouts. | demand revival, inactive to active, demand resurgence, new activity, demand transition | This is a stop-the-world action item. Immediately assess if this represents a new demand pattern or a one-time event. Adjust safety stock levels and forecasts accordingly, and investigate what's driving the renewed interest in these items. |
Recent PO > 3x Normal | Identifies items where a recent purchase order quantity is more than 3 times the average order quantity for that item over the past 12 months. | Unusually large purchase orders can indicate panic buying, bulk deals, or a significant change in demand patterns. This can lead to excess inventory if the large order was a one-time event, or stockouts if it represents a new demand level. | large PO, bulk order, order quantity spike, panic buying, unusual order size | This is an immediate action item for order review. Investigate why the order quantity is so much larger than usual - is it a bulk deal, panic buying, or a genuine increase in demand? Adjust future planning and potentially negotiate with the supplier if this represents a new normal. |
Data Quality
These templates catch backend issues, things that might not affect movement directly, but break downstream logic like POs, cost calculations, or vendor selection.
Template | What It Flags | Why It Matters | Search keywords | How to Use this Rule |
Invalid Unit Cost | Identifies items with active demand patterns that have a zero purchase price, indicating missing or incorrect cost data. | When items with demand have zero unit costs, it affects financial planning, profitability analysis, and inventory valuation. This can lead to incorrect pricing decisions, poor financial reporting, and difficulty in determining the true cost of goods sold. | zero cost, missing cost, unit cost error, pricing issue, cost data | This is a data quality action item. When flagged, investigate why the purchase price is zero - is it missing supplier cost data, a data entry error, or a new item that needs cost information? Update the purchase price with the correct supplier cost to ensure accurate financial planning and reporting. |
Base UOM is Smallest | Identifies items where the base unit of measure is not the smallest unit available, indicating incorrect UOM configuration that can cause conversion errors. | When the base UOM isn't the smallest unit, it can lead to conversion errors in inventory calculations, purchase orders, and sales transactions. This affects accuracy in planning, ordering, and financial reporting, potentially causing stockouts or excess inventory due to incorrect quantity calculations. | UOM error, unit conversion, base unit, measurement error, conversion issue | This is a data configuration action item. When flagged, review the UOM setup for these items and ensure the base unit is the smallest available unit. This prevents conversion errors and ensures accurate inventory and transaction calculations across all systems. |
Primary Supplier is Blank | Identifies stockable items that don't have a primary supplier assigned, indicating missing vendor information in your system. | When stockable items lack a primary supplier, you can't create purchase orders or plan replenishment effectively. This can lead to stockouts if you can't identify who to order from, or delays in procurement when you need to research suppliers for these items. | missing supplier, no vendor, primary supplier, procurement issue, supplier assignment | This is a data quality action item. When flagged, identify and assign the correct primary supplier for each item. This ensures you can create purchase orders and maintain proper replenishment planning for all stockable items. |
Vendor Name and ID Don’t Match | Identifies items where the same vendor name is associated with multiple vendor IDs in your system, indicating duplicate vendor records or data quality issues. | When the same vendor exists under multiple IDs, it can lead to inconsistent pricing, duplicate purchase orders, and confusion in supplier management. This affects procurement efficiency and can result in missed volume discounts or incorrect supplier relationships. | vendor duplicates, supplier duplicates, data quality, vendor consolidation, procurement confusion | This is a data cleanup priority. When flagged, investigate the duplicate vendor records and consolidate them under a single vendor ID. This ensures consistent supplier relationships, prevents duplicate orders, and improves procurement efficiency and reporting accuracy. |
Inactive Item with Open Orders | Identifies items that are marked as discontinued/inactive but still have open purchase orders with pending quantities, indicating a disconnect between item status and procurement activity. | When inactive items have open purchase orders, you're potentially receiving inventory for items you no longer plan to sell. This can lead to excess inventory, wasted capital, and confusion in your procurement and inventory management processes. | inactive items, open orders, discontinued items, procurement disconnect, excess inventory | This is a stop-the-world action item. When flagged, immediately review the open purchase orders for these inactive items and either cancel the orders or reactivate the items if they're still needed. This prevents receiving unwanted inventory and ensures alignment between item status and procurement activities. |
Multiple Items Share SKU but Have Different Suppliers | Identifies cases where the same supplier part number is mapped to different supplier IDs, creating potential confusion in procurement and inventory management. | This can lead to duplicate orders, inconsistent pricing, and confusion about which supplier to use for a given SKU. It often indicates data quality issues that need cleanup or legitimate multiple sourcing scenarios that need clear documentation. | duplicate SKU, supplier mapping, data quality, procurement confusion, supplier conflicts | This is a data cleanup priority. When flagged, review the flagged items to determine which supplier mapping is correct and consolidate or fix the duplicate entries. If multiple suppliers are legitimate, ensure clear documentation of when to use each supplier to prevent procurement errors. |
UOM Conversion Factor Missing or Zero | Identifies items with multiple units of measure that have missing or zero conversion factors, preventing accurate unit conversions between different UOMs. | When conversion factors are missing or zero, you can't accurately convert between different units (e.g., cases to pieces, pallets to units). This affects inventory calculations, purchase orders, sales transactions, and financial reporting, potentially causing ordering errors and inventory discrepancies. | UOM conversion, missing conversion, unit conversion error, measurement error, conversion factor | This is a data quality action item. When flagged, investigate and update the missing or zero conversion factors for these items. This ensures accurate unit conversions across all transactions and prevents ordering and inventory calculation errors. |