The Shift Towards Integration

Supply chain teams are no longer testing ChatGPT in isolation. Many professionals are actively integrating this AI tool into their daily operations, leveraging its capabilities to prepare for meetings, analyze risks, clarify data, and streamline everyday tasks.

What’s the Secret? The teams that derive the most value from ChatGPT share a critical understanding: it’s not just about asking questions, but knowing how to ask them. Below are some effective strategies for maximizing the benefits of ChatGPT.

Three Key Strategies for Effective Use

• Provide Context: Instead of general inquiries like “help with inventory,” give specific scenarios: “We’re holding 45 days of safety stock, and lead times have increased from 8 to 12 weeks. What concerns should I have?”
• Specify the Format: If you need information in a particular layout—such as bullet points or tables—state that upfront.
• Use as a First Draft: Think of ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner. Use it to outline ideas and then apply your own judgment to refine the outputs.

ChatGPT Prompts for Different Supply Chain Functions

Now, let’s dive into 40 practical prompts tailored for various aspects of supply chain management, showcasing how professionals across different teams can harness ChatGPT’s capabilities.

Demand Planning and Forecasting

• “Analyze this historical sales data for any significant seasonality or unusual spikes.”
• “Discuss the potential impacts of a port closure or tariff increase on our forecasts.”
• “Create three demand scenarios for next quarter: best case, worst case, and middle ground.”

Inventory Management and Warehouse Operations

• “Given our current inventory levels and lead times, highlight areas at risk of stockouts.”
• “Simplify the reasons for excess inventory accumulation for a leadership presentation.”
• “Formulate a plan to reduce slow-moving SKUs without compromising service levels.”

Transportation and Logistics Planning

• “Devise a carrier scorecard focusing on on-time delivery, cost per mile, and damage rates.”
• “Clarify why transportation costs spike during peak seasons in straightforward terms.”
• “What essential questions should I pose to carriers before launching an RFP?”

Procurement and Supplier Management

• “Explore the risks associated with dependency on a single supplier.”
• “Draft an agenda for an upcoming supplier performance review meeting.”
• “Identify key elements to include in a supplier scorecard addressing quality, lead times, and financial risks.”

Customer Service and Order Management

• “Draft a professional yet empathetic response to a customer inquiring about their delayed order.”
• “Simplify our return policy for better customer understanding.”
• “What frequent issues cause orders to be placed on hold, and what can we do to resolve them promptly?”

Data Analysis and Reporting

• “Summarize key insights from this month’s logistics report.”
• “What noticeable patterns emerge from the carrier performance metrics?”
• “Consolidate this data table into a narrative suitable for a leadership update.”
• “Freight costs in the Southeast have risen. What should be my first point of investigation?”

Risk Management and Resilience Planning

• “List significant supply chain risks related to geopolitical factors, weather, and labor issues.”
• “What are the implications if our main supplier is unable to ship for 30 days?”
• “Describe supply chain resilience in layman’s terms for an executive audience.”

Sustainability and Compliance

• “Explain Scope 3 emissions in straightforward language.”
• “What initial steps should we take to gather carbon data from suppliers?”
• “Outline recent updates to EU import compliance regulations.”

Training and Onboarding

• “Explain FOB vs. CIF to new logistics coordinators.”
• “Create a one-page cheat sheet comparing inbound and outbound logistics.”
• “What common mistakes do new demand planners typically make within their first 90 days?”

Project Management and Communication

• “Transform this project update into a concise executive summary.”
• “Revise this email for brevity and directness.”
• “Draft a clear timeline for our distribution center relocation project.”