Dependent demand tends to be intermittent, whereas independent demand tends to be more…

➤ When should you use forecasting versus MRP for inventory planning?
Use forecasting for independent items whose demand comes from customers and markets; forecasts set safety stock, reorder points, and review policies. Use MRP when demand is dependent and driven by a bill of materials to generate planned orders and purchase requisitions. Combine both approaches when assemblies include independently demanded finished goods and dependent components.