Abstract
Successful demand forecasting allows for firms to apply strategic planning to their operations. This paper outlines those four predominate categories of forecasting methods and elaborates on some of their techniques. In further applying them to an organization, namely the XXXX language school, not only were contrasts highlighted but also insights as to how this firm could better address the predicting of demand under conditions of uncertainty.
Successful operations result from strategic and tactical plans incorporating the efficient use of resources in producing an output of perceived value. In structuring systems to deliver this, an appreciation of capacity is essential. In anticipating demand, firms can make the necessary changes required to meet those capacity needs and continue to produce their valued products and services (Brown, 1995).
Age of uncertainty
As the marketing coordinator for one of seven Japanese based language schools across Canada, figuring our what lay ahead makes the difference in successfully planning for capacity and formulating solutions that benefit our clientele. However, I should state on the onset, that no formal forecasting technique has been practiced within my operation. This is unfortunate and alarming given that issues such as the Asian economic crisis and the SARS epidemic may have had a lesser effect if the use of forecasting been more appropriately applied.
Our text author, (Chase, 2003) categorizes this procedure into four basic types: qualitative, time series analysis, causal relationships and simulations. Within each are numerous techniques that give an idea of how demand could be expected. As we compare some of these methods I will a ...