Some of The Work We're Proud of!

Project Purpose

The In-Stock Deep Dive Dashboard project aimed to overhaul a time-intensive, reactive SKU analysis process. We needed a proactive tool that could flag issues early and deliver key business metrics across Week-over-Week, Year-over-Year, and Year-to-Date views.

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Business Operations Prior to the Project

Our original SKU management process was manual, requiring extensive time and effort. Instock managers spent up to five hours a day troubleshooting issues across multiple tools, adding up to 6,625 hours annually, costing over £130k. This reactive approach also caused delays in catching and addressing issues.

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Why the Project Was Initiated

Recognizing the inefficiencies in our existing processes, we initiated this project to reduce manual analysis time, enable early issue detection, and provide actionable insights—all key to driving strategic decisions.

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Solution and Implementation

After considering different approaches, we chose Amazon QuickSight for its scalability and integration with AWS. Key aspects of the implementation included:

1. Data Integration - We connected SQL databases and AWS S3 to QuickSight, creating an efficient ETL pipeline for real-time data flow.
2. Automated Issue Detection - Built logic to identify SKU issues, reducing human error and enabling proactive management.
3. Stakeholder Collaboration - Worked closely with Instock Managers, Vendor Managers, and Brand Specialists to balance their needs and priorities, ensuring the tool’s relevance and ease of use.

Project Management and Scope

We scoped the project to focus on the core goals—automated SKU issue identification and real-time metric reporting—leaving advanced features for future phases. We used a Gantt chart for phase planning, iterative design, and continuous stakeholder engagement through regular updates and feedback sessions.

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Results and Impact

• 99.4% Reduction in Analysis Time: Time spent on SKU issue resolution dropped from five hours to under 0.03 hours daily, freeing up resources for strategic tasks, saving over £129k annually.
• Improved Product Availability: Availability rose from 82% to between 92-98%, directly increasing weekly revenue, with the Beverages category alone generating an additional £89k annually.
• Wastage Reduction: Wastage decreased from 7% to 2-3.5%, enhancing profitability and inventory efficiency.
• Increased Stakeholder Satisfaction: High user adoption due to the tool’s ease of use and clear, actionable insights.
• Scalability: QuickSight’s robust infrastructure allows for ongoing enhancements as the business grows.

Financial Impact and ROI

The dashboard generated an estimated £1.2m ROI across categories, balancing reduced time costs, increased sales, and minimized wastage. This substantial ROI underscored the project’s value and long-term benefits.

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Strategic Alignment and Future Plans

The project aligned with our business objectives, providing real-time insights for data-driven decisions, enhancing market competitiveness, and laying a foundation for future scalability. Upcoming phases will include further data visualization and customizable insights.

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