Overview
When you create a successor-predecessor link, the new product (called the successor) automatically inherits the demand and forecast data from the existing product (called the predecessor).
This allows you to forecast and replenish even for brand-new items, without waiting weeks or months to collect sales data.
Why Use Initial Allocation?
When you launch new products, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of historical data. Without sales history, forecasting becomes guesswork.
Initial Allocation solve this by letting you:
Use proven products as references for new ones.
Avoid data gaps when launching new items.
Forecast accurately from day one.
Automate planning decisions for new product lines.
Example:
You’re launching a new T-shirt design that’s similar to a top-selling one.
You can map the new T-shirt as a successor to the existing one, and Tightly will forecast it using the original’s sales behavior.
Core Concept
Each mapping in Initial Allocation has two roles:
Role | Description | Example |
Predecessor | The product with reliable historical sales and forecast data. | “Classic White T-shirt (2024)” |
Successor | The new or low-data product that inherits the predecessor’s data. | “New White T-shirt (2025)” |
Once the mapping is set:
The successor’s forecasts are automatically generated using the predecessor’s data.
The successor’s own forecast values cannot be manually edited while the mapping is active.
Creating a Mapping
There are two ways to create a mapping in the Demand > Initial Allocation tab:
1. Manual Mapping (Best for specific, planned launches)
If you already know which products should be linked:
Click "New Mapping".
Select Successor(s) first: Choose the new products that need a forecast. You can select multiple successors at once.
Select Predecessor: Choose the single source of data these successors should follow.
Review & Save: Click "Create Mapping."
2. From Recommendations (Best for scaling & large catalogs) - NEW!
The system uses AI-driven similarity scoring to find potential links you might have missed.
Navigate to the Mapping Recommendations tab.
Review the Confidence Level and the Reason (e.g., similar attributes, same vendor).
Map: Click "Map" to open a pre-filled modal and finalize the link.
Ignore: If a suggestion is irrelevant, click "Ignore" to permanently hide that pair.
Managing a Mapping
You can easily update or delete existing mappings anytime.
To edit or remove:
Open the Demand > Initial Allocation tab.
Find the mapping you want to change.
Click “🗑️ (Trash icon)” that's placed at the end of each mapping line to remove the mapping.
When a mapping is removed:
The successor stops inheriting data from its predecessor.
It starts generating its own forecasts based on its individual sales data (once available).
How It Works in Demand Planning
Once a mapping is created, you’ll start seeing the effects directly in the Demand Planning or Smart Replenishment pages.
Here’s what happens:
The successor product will display a “Successor” tag next to its name.
Hovering over the tag shows a message explaining that its forecast is inherited from its predecessor.
The predecessor product will have a corresponding “Predecessor” tag, indicating that its data is being used by one or more successors.
This makes it easy to see at a glance which products are linked and where their data comes from.
Rules and Limitations
To ensure data consistency, Initial Allocation follow a few key rules:
Same Location Requirement
Successors can only inherit data from predecessors in the same location.
This prevents mismatched forecasts between warehouses or regions.Succesor Forecasts Can’t Be Manually Edited
Successor forecasts are locked while the mapping is active.
Any manual changes must be made to the predecessor, not the successor.One-Way Relationship
A successor inherits from a predecessor, not the other way around.
Visibility in Planning Pages
On the Demand Planning page, users can clearly identify mapped products through visual indicators:
Indicator | Meaning |
🟢 Predecessor Tag | The product’s forecast data is used by its successors. |
🔵 Successor Tag | The product inherits its forecast data from a predecessor. |
Hovering over these tags displays helpful tooltips explaining the relationship and behavior.
💬 FAQs
Q: Can one predecessor have multiple successors? Yes. A single top-seller can act as the data source for an entire new product line.
Q: Why can't I edit the forecast of my new product? If it is mapped as a Successor, its data is "locked" to the Predecessor. To edit it, you must either adjust the Predecessor or delete the mapping.
Q: How does the system decide what to recommend? It looks for products in the same category with similar titles, descriptions, and prices, specifically targeting new items that have no sales history yet.