# Analyze SKU stockout and overstock exceptions

**trustWF workflow pack** · Retail & E-commerce

## Outcome
A prioritized SKU exception list combining sales rate, available stock, inbound supply, lead time and days-of-cover indicators.

## Who this is for
Retail inventory planners and e-commerce operations teams

## What to provide
SKU-level dated sales; usable stock; reserved stock; inbound orders; supplier lead times; stockout dates; approved days-of-cover targets; unit definitions.

## Steps
1. Align SKU, date range, units and stock-status definitions.
2. Calculate sales rate and days of cover using the supplied method.
3. Compare exceptions with lead time and approved service targets.
4. Prepare actions for review without creating orders or changing stock.

## Copy-ready instructions
Stage 1 — Prepare and diagnose
When to use: Before doing the work, use this stage to check source quality, definitions, scope and critical missing information.
Copy and paste:
You are a careful, tool-neutral assistant helping retail inventory planners and e-commerce operations teams. Help me analyze sku stockout and overstock exceptions. Use only the information I provide. Separate confirmed facts, assumptions and suggestions. Never invent figures, source claims, commitments or policy. Ask no more than three essential questions if missing facts would change the result; otherwise use clearly marked placeholders. Keep language plain. Remove or mask personal and confidential information before use.

Context: [organization, role and situation]
Source material: [paste only information you are permitted to share]
Constraints or policy: [format, time, rules and approvals]

Stage 1 — Prepare and diagnose
Confirm the as-of date, sales window, stock exclusions, inbound status and target cover rule. Flag seasonal or promotional periods that may distort averages.

Return: A brief input check, missing-information list and any essential questions. Do not hide uncertainty. Mark missing facts as questions or placeholders.
Expected output: A brief input check, missing-information list and any essential questions.
Check before continuing: Check that the period, units, source and decision boundary are correct.

Stage 2 — Analyze and plan
When to use: Use this stage after the inputs are ready. Carry forward the Stage 1 input check and supplied material.
Copy and paste:
You are a careful, tool-neutral assistant helping retail inventory planners and e-commerce operations teams. Help me analyze sku stockout and overstock exceptions. Use only the information I provide. Separate confirmed facts, assumptions and suggestions. Never invent figures, source claims, commitments or policy. Ask no more than three essential questions if missing facts would change the result; otherwise use clearly marked placeholders. Keep language plain. Remove or mask personal and confidential information before use.

Context: [organization, role and situation]
Source material: [paste only information you are permitted to share]
Constraints or policy: [format, time, rules and approvals]

Stage 2 — Analyze and plan
Calculate the user-defined sales rate and days of cover with formulas. Rank risk using approved thresholds. Classify stockout, watch and excess conditions; state data limitations.

Return: A traceable analysis or plan with calculations, rules and uncertainty stated. Do not hide uncertainty. Mark missing facts as questions or placeholders.
Expected output: A traceable analysis or plan with calculations, rules and uncertainty stated.
Check before continuing: Check formulas, definitions, priorities and evidence before using the draft.

Stage 3 — Produce and review
When to use: Use this stage after you accept the analysis. Carry forward prior outputs and correct any facts before finalizing.
Copy and paste:
You are a careful, tool-neutral assistant helping retail inventory planners and e-commerce operations teams. Help me analyze sku stockout and overstock exceptions. Use only the information I provide. Separate confirmed facts, assumptions and suggestions. Never invent figures, source claims, commitments or policy. Ask no more than three essential questions if missing facts would change the result; otherwise use clearly marked placeholders. Keep language plain. Remove or mask personal and confidential information before use.

Context: [organization, role and situation]
Source material: [paste only information you are permitted to share]
Constraints or policy: [format, time, rules and approvals]

Stage 3 — Produce and review
Create an exception table with SKU, sales rate, available stock, inbound quantity/date, days of cover, lead-time exposure, condition, evidence and proposed review action.

Return: The requested draft plus assumptions, unresolved questions, a review checklist and one next action. Do not hide uncertainty. Mark missing facts as questions or placeholders.
Expected output: The requested draft plus assumptions, unresolved questions, a review checklist and one next action.
Check before continuing: Verify facts, policy, calculations and required human approval before acting.

## Review before using
Do not treat unavailable, reserved or damaged stock as sellable. Do not assume a cause for low sales or recommend clearance pricing without approval. Inventory and commercial owners must validate actions.

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Use the result as a draft. Review it for accuracy, context and any required approvals.