In material requirements planning, what does "gross requirements" refer to?

Gross requirements refer to the total demand for an item before any adjustments are made for on-hand inventory or scheduled receipts. This term is crucial in material requirements planning (MRP) because it provides a clear view of the overall demand that must be satisfied to meet production and customer requirements. By calculating gross requirements, planners can determine what quantity of materials is needed to fulfill production plans without considering the inventory already available or any incoming replenishments.

Understanding gross requirements allows organizations to identify potential shortages and make necessary plans for procurement or production to meet that demand. It forms the foundation of further calculations in MRP, where on-hand inventory and lead times are taken into account to derive net requirements. This concept ensures that operations can align their purchasing and production schedules to meet customer demand effectively.