Steps for THESIS data collection
Data collection can be a challenge for organizations of all sizes. The THESIS process is an opportunity to build your organization's supply chain and facility engagement so we encourage using this time to build and improve your data collection tools and processes. THESIS retailers value THESIS engagement and it's important to complete THESIS assessments even if your data is incomplete and/or you can't respond to every KPI. THESIS is an opportunity to understand and benchmark your starting place. Your THESIS Scorecard will provide you with tailored action recommendations and allow you to measure year over year improvements.
START WHERE YOU ARE: THESIS retailers value THESIS engagement and it's important to complete THESIS assessments even if your data is incomplete and/or you can't respond to every KPI.
The steps for THESIS data collection are:
- Organize Your Data Collection
- Execute Your Data Collection
- Validate Your Data
- Calculate your KPI responses
Organize Your Data Collection
Organizing your data collection and creating a plan is an important way to streamline your process, remove potential barriers, save yourself time, and improve the efficiency of your data collection.
Reference our Knowledge Article for Key Information for THESIS Data Collection.
Start organizing your process by:
- Identify all your products, all retail buyer(s) they are sold to, and which assessment they are within scope for.
- Create your facility and supplier lists, even those not owned and not under your operation control. Identify contacts for each.
- Identify the THESIS Assessment relevant for each of your products and map the KPIs for that assessment onto your products.
- Map contacts based on who has access to the data you’ll need.
- Identify a process for collecting data by determining any available tools or processes and what works within your organization.
As you're getting started with your data collection, prioritize data collection from your major suppliers as this data will cover the majority of your needed data.
Execute Your Data Collection
Notify your facility and supplier contacts, coordinating and tracking progress on your data collection. Follow up as needed, providing clear guidance and timelines.
Notify your facilities and suppliers as far ahead as possible that the request is coming so they can plan ahead. This means they are more likely to get the data to you in time.
Validate Your Data
Review your data to identify outliers, check for correct units, invalid data, and blank responses. Re-engage your contacts, giving yourself time for corrections. Taking time to validate your data will support using THESIS to drive value for your organization.
Calculate your KPI responses
Calculate your results using the data you’ve collected. Follow the KPI response options and KPI Guidance to identify the quantitative or qualitative attribute that the KPI is requesting. For qualitative attributes, identify the response option that is most common across the relevant SKUs/facilities/suppliers. For quantitative attributes, calculate a weighted average over SKUs/facilities/suppliers.
More information can be found here on How to Complete THESIS KPIs