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Types of Forecasting Methods

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TYPES OF FORECASTING METHODS

Qualitative methods: These types of forecasting methods are based on judgments or opinions, and are subjective in nature. They do not rely on any mathematical computations.

Quantitative methods: These types of forecasting methods are based on quantitative models, and are objective in nature. They rely heavily on mathematical computations.

QUALITATIVE FORECASTING METHODS

Qualitative Methods

Executive Opinion Market Research Delphi Method
Approach in which a group of managers meet and collectively develop a forecast. Approach that uses surveys and interviews to determine customer preferences and assess demand. Approach in which a forecast is the product of a consensus …show more content…

We then made a forecast for the subsequent year, and so on right through to the forecast for year 7.

Year Actual Demand (At)
Forecast
(Ft)

Notes
1 100 -- There was no prior demand data on which to base a forecast for period 1
2 300 100 From this point forward, these forecasts were made on a year-by-year basis.
3 200 300
4 500 200
5 600 500
6 700 600
7 700

MEAN (SIMPLE AVERAGE) METHOD

Mean (simple average) method: The forecast for next period (period t+1) will be equal to the average of all past historical demands.

In this illustration we assume that each year (beginning with year 2) we made a forecast, then waited to see what demand unfolded during the year. We then made a forecast for the subsequent year, and so on right through to the forecast for year 7.

Year Actual Demand (At)
Forecast
(Ft)

Notes
1 100 -- There was no prior demand data on which to base a forecast for period 1
2 300 100 From this point forward, these forecasts were made on a year-by-year basis.
3 200 200
4 500 200
5 600 275
6 700 340
7 400

SIMPLE MOVING AVERAGE METHOD

Simple moving average method: The forecast for next period (period t+1) will be equal to the average of a specified number of the most recent observations, with each observation receiving the same emphasis (weight).

In this illustration we assume that a 2-year simple moving

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