1. Plan: Setting the stage for the party
This is where you determine the scope and objectives of your party.
- What kind of celebration will it be? Formal, casual, or themed?
- How many guests are you expecting?
- What's your budget, timeline, and venue?
In the SCOR model, planning involves balancing supply and demand, defining performance metrics, and setting a strategy. For your party, it’s like deciding on the guest list, the overall vibe, and the logistics to ensure everything runs smoothly.
2. Source: Gathering the supplies
Now it’s time to source the essentials:
- Where will you get the food, drinks, and decorations?
- Do you need a caterer, or will you cook?
- Should you order online or go shopping in person?
Just like a supply chain manager selects suppliers and manages procurement in SCOR, you’ll need to choose the best sources for your party needs, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness.
3. Make: Preparing for the big event
This is the "production" phase of the party:
- Cooking or preparing the food and drinks.
- Setting up the decorations and arranging the furniture.
- Creating playlists or hiring entertainment.
In SCOR, "Make" involves transforming inputs into finished goods. For your party, it’s turning raw ingredients into a delicious feast and a blank space into a festive venue.
4. Deliver: Hosting your guests
The delivery phase is all about execution:
- Welcoming guests and ensuring they feel comfortable.
- Serving food and drinks at the right time.
- Coordinating activities like countdowns or games.
In SCOR, "Deliver" focuses on logistics, including order management and customer service. For your party, it’s ensuring everything reaches your guests seamlessly and creates a great experience.
5. Return: Post-party clean-up and feedback
The morning after, you deal with the aftermath:
- Cleaning up and dealing with leftovers.
- Returning rented items like chairs or sound equipment.
- Reflecting on what went well and what could improve next year.
In SCOR, "Return" addresses reverse logistics, such as managing returns or recycling. For your party, it’s about tidying up and learning from the event.
6. Orchestrate: Managing the big picture
Throughout the planning and execution, you’ll need to orchestrate:
- Coordinating with friends to help with tasks.
- Monitoring progress to avoid last-minute surprises.
- Handling unexpected issues like a guest bringing extra people or a food item running out.
SCOR’s "Orchestrate" process ensures all elements of the supply chain align and adapt. For your party, it’s your role as the master organizer, making sure the night is memorable and chaos-free.
Key Takeaway
Planning a New Year’s Eve party using the SCOR framework highlights the interconnectedness of each phase, from initial planning to execution and post-event review. Just like a well-run supply chain, a great party requires strategy, coordination, and adaptability to make everything flow seamlessly!
You can learn all of this... for example, at our SCOR DS Workshop! The next session will take place in May 2025. Find out more here: https://www.pmi-m.de/en/seminars/scor/
