Supply Chain & Procurement worked example

Cycle Count Sample Size with storage locations to cycle count of 30 lots: a worked example

What does the result look like when storage locations to cycle count reaches 30 lots? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it when cycle count sample size in supply chain and procurement is being scheduled and QA needs to know how many samples are coming.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Storage locations to cycle count: 30 lots (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 12)
  • Count passes per location: 40 runs (unchanged)
  • SKUs counted per pass: 1 samples (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Samples = lots × runs per lot × samples per run) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,200 counts for total samples, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 60 hr for inspection hours.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 40 count for lots / shifts.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1 samples for checks per lot.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where storage locations to cycle count sits at 12 lots and the headline result is 480 counts, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 1,200 counts.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when storage locations to cycle count is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. It assumes a uniform SKU count per pass; A-items that warrant weekly counts and slow C-items counted annually won't fit a single flat multiplier and should be sized in separate tranches.

Results at a glance

  • Total samples: 1,200 counts (headline result)
  • Inspection hours: 60 hr
  • Lots / shifts: 40 count
  • Checks per lot: 1 samples

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Cycle Count Sample Size calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.