Real-World Education for Modern Marketers

Join Over 600,000 Marketing Professionals

Start here!
Text:  A A
Forecasting Guide
Overview
Categories
Selecting the Approach
Combining Approaches
Judgmental Models
Delphi Method
Curve Fitting
Analogous Data
Time Series Models
Moving Average
Exponential Smoothing
Decomposition Models
Box-Jenkins Models
Regression
Leading Indicator
Input-Output Models
TECHNIQUE #1: Jury of Executive Opinion

OVERVIEW: This technique is part of a set of techniques that are useful in situations where past data do not exist, causal relationships have not been identified, or some major change has occured in the forecasting context which is not accounted for by other techniques (such as a Gulf War, trade agreement, etc.). Evidence as to the validity of using these methods by themselves is mixed, although using them correctly can provide very good forecasts, especially in uncertain environments. The objective of these techniques is to provide logical, unbiased, and systematic quantitative estimates.

BASIC IDEA: Combines input from key information sources.

PROCEDURE: Very simple. Have "forecast meetings", perhaps beginning with initial estimates of the forecast variables. Discussion ends when consensus is reached.

EXAMPLE: Mainframe computer forecasting is done by conducting a series of meetings between the two mainframe analysts at a company, the Service director, and a Research Operations analyst. Typically, three or four meetings are required in order to arrive at a forecast consensus. In between meetings, the forecasts are examined by colleagues, both domestic and abroad, for feedback and reaction.

COMMENTS: This approach is used widely because it is relatively quick and uses the solid understanding of participants who are presumed to have relevant knowledge. However, this approach is subject to severe judgmental biases that can result in poor forecasts. The next technique specifically addresses these potential pitfalls.

 


Sign up for MarketingProfs Today ... it's FREE!

Get our best marketing tips daily—just enter your email address below to subscribe!


Search over 4,000 MarketingProfs Resources!  

Subscribe Today

IT'S FREE! Become a member to get the tools and knowledge you need to market smarter.

we respect your privacy.

Stay connected!

Don't miss a bit of MarketingProfs ... join the 600,000 marketers following us.

Most Popular

MarketingProfs Today

Get new marketing updates delivered to your inbox! Sign up for MarketingProfs Today for FREE!


Get to the Po!nt Newsletters

Bite-sized topic-specific newsletters on B2B Marketing, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Small Business, Social Media and more. Sign up for one, two or all...for FREE!


Subscribe Today



MarketingProfs uses single
sign-on with Facebook, Twitter, Google and others to make subscribing and signing in easier for you. That's it, and nothing more! Rest assured that MarketingProfs: Your data is secure with MarketingProfs SocialSafe!