Stokastiikkaa

Stokastiikkaa is a Finnish term used to describe the statistical analysis of stock data to support inventory management. It covers planning, collection, and interpretation of information about stock levels, inflows and outflows, and demand, with the aim of optimizing product availability while minimizing costs.

The practice is used in retail, manufacturing, and warehousing, and it sits at the intersection of operations research, statistics, and logistics. Typical goals include maintaining an adequate service level, reducing carrying costs, minimizing stockouts and excess inventory, and improving forecasting accuracy.

Key metrics frequently analyzed include turnover rate, average or days of inventory on hand, stock-out rate, service level or fill rate, and total carrying cost per item. Analysts may also track metrics such as stock availability, obsolescence risk, and order cycle times.

Common methods include ABC analysis to prioritize items by value and usage, demand forecasting using time series or causal models, and stock optimization techniques such as reorder points and economic order quantity. Time-series forecasting (moving average, exponential smoothing, ARIMA) and scenario analysis are typical tools. Data-driven approaches often combine internal transactional data with external factors like seasonality, promotions, and market trends.

Successful stokastiikkaa relies on reliable data from ERP or warehouse management systems, good data governance, and appropriate visualization. It is a component of broader supply chain analytics and supports decision-making in procurement, replenishment, and capacity planning.