Getting started with Forecasting

  1. Select Datasets menu > Properties.
  2. On the Dataset Properties dialog box, select the Forecast tab.
  3. To enable Forecast Calculation in DMP, select the DMP Forecast Calculation check box.
  4. On the Calculation Measures tab, select the Data types for Calculated Forecast and Demand.
  5. Ensure that the calculation time points are setup correctly. See Enable Statistical Forecasting.
    Note: Forecast Fit Initialization (init point) should be less than or equal to Forecast Fit Write (start point). Forecast Fit Write (start point) should typically be equal to Forecast Future write (end point). Forecast Future write (end point) is typical the current period.

    This means DMP will use Demand from Forecast Fit Initialization to the period just before Forecast Future Write as history for the forecast model fitting and write the Forecast from Forecast Future Write (end Point) and into the later periods depending on the extrapolation periods of the forecast method itself.

    DMP is calculating forecast based on what is loaded into the model of a favorite view. This means you need to include a time range of periods that allow all the forecast algorithms to run. Usually this means minimum 1 year before and 1 year after Calculation end point (time mark ’Today’). Typically, you may want to include more than 1 year of history to improve the accuracy and for some it makes sense to forecast 1½ years or 2 years into the future.

    DMP can update the calculated forecast measure even if it is not updatable (as a data type in Formats) and even if the CTH is not defined or doesn’t include all periods so this is no concern. DMP also writes the calculated forecast directly to the detailed cells even if the view model is an aggregated favorite view then the forecast is distributed and saved to the detailed cells.

  6. Click OK.
  7. Access the favorite view of the dataset you want to perform forecasting. When forecasting is enabled for the dataset, these three key columns are available:
    • Forecast Method
    • Competitive
    • Winner
    Ensure to check the columns that you want to see in the view.
  8. Right-click the selected the lines you want to apply the Forecast Method and select Change Forecast Method.
  9. Select the Forecast Method you want to use on the drop-down menu.
    Note: You can view the Forecast Method Properties by clicking the button beside the drop-down.
  10. Click OK to apply the Forecast Method.
    If you want to view the results in a chart on the workbench, see Split Charts.
  11. Right-click the selected the lines you want to recalculate the forecast and select Recalculate Forecast.