Write rules people can check
Specify product groupings, permitted adjacencies, fixture limits, and visual requirements. Distinguish mandatory constraints from preferences. Include examples of acceptable local variations.
Review the exceptions
Check a proposed plan against the dimensions and stock available at each location. Ask local teams to flag constraints that the central plan misses. Record the reason, owner, and approval for each exception.
Measure the workflow
Track the proportion of plans reviewed, unresolved exceptions, and time from proposal to approval. Check a sample on site after implementation. Use findings to improve the rule set and supporting data.