The Handbook of Forecasting


Book Description

Role and application of forecasting in organizations; Introduction to management forecasting; Sales forecasting requirements; Forecasting requirements for operations planning and control; Capacity planning forecasting requirements; Financial forecasting; Forecasting and strategic planning; Forecasting in the electric utility industry; State and local government revenue forecasting; Population forecasting; Forecasting: the issues; Approaches to forecasting; Smoothing methods for short-term planning and control; A practical overview of arima models for time series forecasting; Decomposition methods for medium term planning annnd budgeting; Econometric methods for managerial applications; Judgemtal and bayesian forecasting; An integrated approach to medium andlong term forecasting: the marketing mix system; Forecasting challenges; Forecasting and the environment: the challenges of rapid change; Price forecasting using experience curves and the product life-cycle concept; Life cycle forecasting; Forecasting recessions; Forecasting macroeconomic variables: an eclectic approach; ; Managing the forecasting functions; Forecasting and planning: an evaluation; Integrating forecasting and decision making; The forecasting audit; The future of forecasting.




Managing the Future


Book Description

A guide to forecasting and strategic planning for organizations




How to Forecast: A Guide for Business


Book Description

This title was first published in 2001. Forecasting is an essential discipline in the planning and running of a business: not only for the business plan and annual budget but for the appraisal of investment projects, the commissioning of research as well as the appraisal of the competition and the feasibility of making acquisitions. Managers are continually confronted with the need to take decisions, and being able to construct a route map of the future is a key way of determining a course of action. This book offers a practical guide to forecasting the environment in which a firm operates. The author goes through the key areas which can affect a business. He includes those which are out of the firm's control such as fiscal and monetary policy, population levels and the labour market; and those that are, such as costs, prices, profits and product development.




Benchmarking


Book Description










Forecasting: principles and practice


Book Description

Forecasting is required in many situations. Stocking an inventory may require forecasts of demand months in advance. Telecommunication routing requires traffic forecasts a few minutes ahead. Whatever the circumstances or time horizons involved, forecasting is an important aid in effective and efficient planning. This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to forecasting methods and presents enough information about each method for readers to use them sensibly.




Improving Forecasts with Integrated Business Planning


Book Description

This book provides both a broad overview of the forecasting process, covering technological and human aspects alike, and deep insights into algorithms and platform functionalities in the IBP toolbox required to maximize forecast accuracy. Rich in technical and business explanations, it addresses short-, medium- and long-term forecasting processes using functionalities available in demand planning and demand sensing. There are also several theoretical concepts underpinning the algorithms discussed; these are explained with numerical examples to help demystify the IBP forecasting toolbox. Beyond standard procedures, the book also discusses custom approaches (e.g. new segmentation criteria, new outlier detection and correction methods) and new methods (e.g. the use of Markov chains for forecasting sporadic demands), etc. It subsequently benchmarks common practices using these innovative approaches and discusses the results. As measurement is an important precondition for improvement, an entire chapter is devoted to discussing process improvement and value using the Six Sigma methodology. In closing, the book provides several useful tips and tricks that should come in handy during project implementation.




Financial Forecasting and Planning


Book Description

This work offers a concise explanation of the fundamentals of financial forecasting intended for managers in accounting, marketing, sales, and strategic planning. As the authors point out, financial forecasting is more than the annual genertion of sales forecasts and budgets. It is a comprehensive process that looks at every aspect of a company's operations in order to determine the likely aspect on profits of a number of internal and external forces. Each of the steps in this complex process is fully described in this books so that the reader gains an understanding of how to produce effective financial forecasts for his or her own firm. Throughout, numerous tables and figures illustrate points made in the test. Credit Executive In an era of deregulation, tax revisions, cost cutting, and unpredictable markets, sound financial planning is a critical variable in any company's continued profitability. This book offers a clear, concise explanation of the fundamentals of financial forecasting intended for managers in accounting, marketing, sales, and strategic planning. As the authors point out, financial forecasting is more than the annual generation of sales forecasts and budgets--it is a comprehensive process that looks at every aspect of a company's operations in order to determine the likely impact on profits of a number of internal and external forces. Each of the steps in this complex process is fully described here so that the reader gains a complete understanding of how to produce effective financial forecasts for his or her own firm.