Operations Management Chapter 3 - Forecasting
Operations Management Chapter 3 - Forecasting
Forecasting
Learning Objectives
3-2
Learning Objectives
Forecasts
A statement about the future value of a
variable of interest such as demand.
Forecasting is used to make informed
decisions.
Long-range
Short-range
3-4
Forecasts
Forecasts affect decisions and activities
throughout an organization
Accounting, finance
Human resources
Marketing
MIS
Operations
Product/service design
3-5
Uses of Forecasts
Accounting
Cost/profit estimates
Finance
Human resources
Hiring/recruiting/training
Marketing
MIS
Operations
Product/service design
3-6
Features of Forecasts
Assumes causal system
past ==> future
Forecasts rarely perfect because of randomness
Forecasts more accurate for
groups vs. individuals
Forecast accuracy decreases
as time horizon increases
3-7
Reliable
n
i
n
a
e
M
ul
f
g
Accurate
Written
y
s
Ea
to
e
s
u
3-8
The forecast
3-9
Types of Forecasts
Judgmental: uses subjective inputs
Time series: uses historical data,
assuming the future will be like the
past
Associative models: uses explanatory
variables to predict the future
3-10
Judgmental Forecasts
Executive opinions
Sales force opinions
Consumer surveys
Outside opinions/experts
Delphi method
3-11
Figure 3.1
Forecast Variations
Irregular
variation
Trend
Cycles
90
89
88
Seasonal variations
3-13
Naive Forecasts
Uh, give me a minute....
We sold 250 wheels last
week.... Now, next week
we should sell....
The forecast for any period equals
the previous periods actual value.
3-14
Naive Forecasts
Simple to use
Virtually no cost
Quick and easy to prepare
Data analysis is nonexistent
Easily understandable
Cannot provide high accuracy
Can be a standard for accuracy
3-15
F(t) = A(t-1)
Seasonal variations
F(t) = A(t-n)
3-16
3-17
Moving Averages
Moving average: A technique that averages a
number of recent actual values, updated as
new values become available.
Ft = MAn=
Ft = WMAn=
MA5
MA3
Ft = MAn=
Exponential Smoothing
3-20
Exponential Smoothing
3-21
Actual
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
42
41.8
41.92
41.73
41.66
41.39
41.85
42.07
42.36
41.92
41.73
42
41.2
41.92
41.15
41.09
40.25
42.55
43.13
43.88
41.53
40.92
-2
1.8
-1.92
-0.15
-2.09
5.75
1.45
1.87
-5.88
-1.53
3-22
Demand
50
.4
45
.1
40
35
1
9 10 11 12
Period
3-23
Parabolic
Exponential
Growth
3-24
Ft = a + bt
0 1 2 3 4 5
3-25
Calculating a and b
n (ty) - t y
b =
n t 2 - ( t) 2
y - b t
a =
n
3-26
t
1
4
9
16
25
t
= 55
y
S a le s
150
157
162
166
177
ty
150
314
486
664
885
y = 812
ty = 2 4 9 9
3-27
812 - 6.3(15)
a =
= 143.5
5
y = 143.5 + 6.3t
3-28
Seasonal relative
3-29
Associative Forecasting
Predictor variables: used to predict values
of variable interest
Regression: technique for fitting a line to a
set of points
Least squares line: minimizes sum of
squared deviations around the line
3-30
Y
15
10
13
15
25
27
24
20
27
44
34
17
Computed
relationship
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
10
15
20
25
Forecast Accuracy
Error: difference between actual value and
predicted value
Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD)
3-33
Actual
forecast
n
MSE
( Actual
forecast)
n -1
MAPE =
Actual
forecas
t
n
/ Actual*100)
3-34
Easy to compute
Weights errors linearly
MSE
Squares error
More weight to large errors
MAPE
3-35
Example 10
Period
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
MAD=
MSE=
MAPE=
Actual
217
213
216
210
213
219
216
212
Forecast
215
216
215
214
211
214
217
216
(A-F)
2
-3
1
-4
2
5
-1
-4
-2
|A-F|
2
3
1
4
2
5
1
4
22
(A-F)^2
4
9
1
16
4
25
1
16
76
(|A-F|/Actual)*100
0.92
1.41
0.46
1.90
0.94
2.28
0.46
1.89
10.26
2.75
10.86
1.28
3-36
3-37
3-38
Tracking Signal
Tracking signal
Ratio of cumulative error to MAD
(Actual-forecast)
Tracking signal =
MAD
3-39
Choosing a
Forecasting Technique
No single technique works in every
situation
Two most important factors
Cost
Accuracy
Historical data
Computers
Time needed to gather and analyze the data
Forecast horizon
3-40
Operations Strategy
Forecasts are basis for many decisions
Work to improve short-term forecasts
Accurate short-term forecasts improve
Profits
Lower inventory levels
Reduce inventory shortages
Improve customer service levels
Enhance forecasting credibility
3-41
Exponential Smoothing
3-42
3-43
3-44