MS4002 Forecasting and Trend Analysis Using Microsoft Office Excel 2003

Module 1: The Risks and Benefits of Forecasting Data

This module introduces the risks and benefits of data forecasting both in general and in the context of your business environment.

Topics and Activities

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 2: Creating Formula-Based Forecasts

This module introduces the FORECAST formula, a versatile Excel function that you can use to create data forecasts; scenarios, which enable you to define best-case, middle-case, and worst-case data scenarios; and Goal Seek, an Excel tool that enables you to find the inputs required to make a formula generate a desired result.

Topics and Activities

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 3: Forecasting Using Moving Averages

This module introduces moving averages and shows how to calculate and chart averages in Excel. The information in this module also places moving averages in the context of a business that is not affected by strong seasonal business cycles. One example is a toy manufacturer, which might have trouble forecasting sales that cross one or more gift-giving seasons.

Topics and Activities

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 4: Maximizing Profit Potential

This module introduces Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return, two factors often used to project product viability. The module then introduces Solver, a tool used to find the maximum (or minimum) output for a given set of constraints. The final exercise in this module shows you how to use Solver to find the most profitable mix of products to manufacture.

Topics and Activities

After completing this module, students will be able to: