Demand Forecasting

We can help you design and deliver an exceptional demand forecasting process.

INTRODUCTION

The need for forecasting

Demand forecasting is a critical business requirement to support a range of business functions, including logistics, production and finance. It is only with an agreed and considered forecast that functions can adequately plan capacity, inventory, labour and cash-flow.

A man drinking coffee whilst talking to collegues
Hands typing on a keyboard with pie charts showing on the monitor

DEMAND FORECASTING

The challenges of forecasting

When forecasting demand, it is key that all elements that can impact sales are identified, assessed and incorporated. Consequently, demand forecasting is not only a statistical exercise, but also requires cross-functional input from teams including sales, supply chain, finance and production.

Many businesses fail to have a cross-functional forecasting process, and often rely only on statistics. This can lead to a lack of business confidence in the forecast and it is not uncommon to find different departments developing their own isolated forecasts; sales, supply chain, production and finance will often see the future very differently!

CLIENTS

Who we work with

HERE TO HELP

Next level demand forecasting

A good demand forecast can only be the result of a good demand forecasting process. That process needs to be fast and dynamic for all participating functions, and it needs to have cross-functional consensus.

The first step needs to be a statistical ‘baseline’ expectation which is then passed through each department for sense-checking and input. Varying additions or constraints may need to be applied, including marketing promotions, production capacities, logistics capacities, supplier issues and inventory constraints.

Depending on client requirements we can take several approaches to developing a demand forecast. 

Hands holding a report in front of a laptop screen

SERVICES

Example forecasting development approach

Process step 1

Step 1: Hypothesis Definition

Defining the hypothesis for future sales demand is an important first step. The hypothesis is likely to be formed from a strategic intention alongside suppositions on the economic environment, market opportunity and competitor performance.

With the hypothesis defined, further consideration can then be given to what data will need to be collected to prove/disprove the supposition. This may take the form of tracking sales calls made, volume demanded by targets, sales executives’ perceived probability of success, conversion rates into actual sales, forecasting of future demand from new clients, or tracking how that forecast compares to quantity actually demanded.

Process step 2

Step 2: Tracking templates

At Step 2, our consulting team will convert the business hypothesis and supporting assumptions that were generated into a mathematical model, and will design a data capture process with templates. The templates will incorporate automatic data validation as well as useful dynamic dashboards for the stakeholders to observe.

Additionally, a consolidation tool to collate the data being tracked can be created, allowing for easy assimilation of data points.

Process step 3

Step 3: Hypothesis testing

Using the Data Tracking Templates from Step 2, our demand forecasting consultants will test the validity of the hypothesis as data develops, and potentially collect alternative data in the event of early detection of variances.

Any data or useful insights that could be used to help the sales team will be passed on, and additionally, dashboard reporting of performance on a monthly basis will be generated, so that different approaches can be compared and used for performance evaluation / improving sales techniques.

Process step 4

Step 4: Prediction Interval

A scenario analysis will be run to assign probabilities to various events that could impact sales levels on the mid-to-long term horizon. Typical event variables could include substitute products causing a change in equilibrium on the supply-demand curves or regional economic conditions resulting in a shock to aggregate demand.

The outputs from this scenario analysis will be run through a Monte Carlo simulation in order to generate a prediction interval for the baseline forecast, within which it is likely future sales will fall.

Process step 5

Step 5: Tool Development

Our consulting team will, using the models and the data from the preceding four steps, design an easy to use forecasting tool to allow the client to continue tracking and forecasting sales independently.

Where deep integration of forecasting tools may be required with a clients ERP system, or integration with MRP functionality, then the consultants can support system selection and process implementation as the concluding steps.

INSIGHT

Forecasting articles & advice

TESTIMONIALS

Client testimonials

CONTACT US

Have questions?
Get in touch!

Tamsin Giles, Client Service Coordinator, contact photo

Hello! I’m Tamsin, Client Services Coordinator at Paul Trudgian. Please get in touch by phone, email or the contact form and I’ll make sure your enquiry is dealt with promptly and passed to the right member of the consulting team. We look forward to hearing from you!