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Improve Forecast Accuracy by Managing Error

The Smart Forecaster

 Pursuing best practices in demand planning,

forecasting and inventory optimization

Improve Forecast Accuracy, Eliminate Excess Inventory, & Maximize Service Levels

In this video, Dr. Thomas Willemain, co-Founder and SVP Research, talks about improving Forecast Accuracy by Managing Error. This video is the first in our series on effective methods to Improve Forecast Accuracy.  We begin by looking at how forecast error causes pain and the consequential cost related to it. Then we will explain the three most common mistakes to avoid that can help us increase revenue and prevent excess inventory. Tom concludes by reviewing the methods to improve Forecast Accuracy, the importance of measuring forecast error, and the technological opportunities to improve it.

Download the Presentation

 

Forecast error can be consequential

Consider one item of many

  • Product X costs $100 to make and nets $50 profit per unit.
  • Sales of Product X will turn out to be 1,000/month over the next 12 months.
  • Consider one item of many

What is the cost of forecast error?

  • If the forecast is 10% high, end the year with $120,000 of excess inventory.
  • 100 extra/month x 12 months x $100/unit
  • If the forecast is 10% low, miss out on $60,000 of profit.
  • 100 too few/month x 12 months x $50/unit

 

Three mistakes to avoid

1. Ignoring error.

  • Unprofessional, dereliction of duty.
  • Wishing will not make it so.
  • Treat accuracy assessment as data science, not a blame game.

2. Tolerating more error than necessary.

  • Statistical forecasting methods can improve accuracy at scale.
  • Improving data inputs can help.
  • Collecting and analyzing forecast error metrics can identify weak spots.

3. Wasting time and money going too far trying to eliminate error.

  • Some product/market combinations are inherently more difficult to forecast. After a point, let them be (but be alert for new specialized forecasting methods).
  • Sometimes steps meant to reduce error can backfire (e.g., adjustment).
Leave a Comment

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      Four Useful Ways to Measure Forecast Error

      The Smart Forecaster

       Pursuing best practices in demand planning,

      forecasting and inventory optimization

      Improve Forecast Accuracy, Eliminate Excess Inventory, & Maximize Service Levels

      In this video, Dr. Thomas Willemain, co-Founder and SVP Research, talks about improving forecast accuracy by measuring forecast error. We begin by overviewing the various types of error metrics: scale-dependent error, percentage error, relative error, and scale-free error metrics. While some error is inevitable, there are ways to reduce it, and forecast metrics are necessary aids for monitoring and improving forecast accuracy. Then we will explain the special problem of intermittent demand and divide-by-zero problems. Tom concludes by explaining how to assess forecasts of multiple items and how it often makes sense to use weighted averages, weighting items differently by volume or revenue.

      Download the Presentation

       

      Four general types of error metrics 

      1. Scale-dependent error
      2. Percentage error
      3. Relative error
      4 .Scale-free error

      Remark: Scale-dependent metrics are expressed in the units of the forecasted variable. The other three are expresses as percentages.

       

      1. Scale-dependent error metrics

      • Mean Absolute Error (MAE) aka Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD)
      • Median Absolute Error (MdAE)
      • Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)
      • These metrics express the error in the original units of the data.
        • Ex: units, cases, barrels, kilograms, dollars, liters, etc.
      • Since forecasts can be too high or too low, the signs of the errors will be either positive or negative, allowing for unwanted cancellations.
        • Ex: You don’t want errors of +50 and -50 to cancel and show “no error”.
      • To deal with the cancellation problem, these metrics take away negative signs by either squaring or using absolute value.

       

      2. Percentage error metric

      • Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE)
      • This metric expresses the size of the error as a percentage of the actual value of the forecasted variable.
      • The advantage of this approach is that it immediately makes clear whether the error is a big deal or not.
      • Ex: Suppose the MAE is 100 units. Is a typical error of 100 units horrible? ok? great?
      • The answer depends on the size of the variable being forecasted. If the actual value is 100, then a MAE = 100 is as big as the thing being forecasted. But if the actual value is 10,000, then a MAE = 100 shows great accuracy, since the MAPE is only 1% of the actual.

       

      3. Relative error metric

      • Median Relative Absolute Error (MdRAE)
      • Relative to what? To a benchmark forecast.
      • What benchmark? Usually, the “naïve” forecast.
      • What is the naïve forecast? Next forecast value = last actual value.
      • Why use the naïve forecast? Because if you can’t beat that, you are in tough shape.

       

      4. Scale-Free error metric

      • Median Relative Scaled Error (MdRSE)
      • This metric expresses the absolute forecast error as a percentage of the natural level of randomness (volatility) in the data.
      • The volatility is measured by the average size of the change in the forecasted variable from one time period to the next.
        • (This is the same as the error made by the naïve forecast.)
      • How does this metric differ from the MdRAE above?
        • They do both use the naïve forecast, but this metric uses errors in forecasting the demand history, while the MdRAE uses errors in forecasting future values.
        • This matters because there are usually many more history values than there are forecasts.
        • In turn, that matters because this metric would “blow up” if all the data were zero, which is less likely when using the demand history.

       

      Intermittent Demand Planning and Parts Forecasting

       

      The special problem of intermittent demand

      • “Intermittent” demand has many zero demands mixed in with random non-zero demands.
      • MAPE gets ruined when errors are divided by zero.
      • MdRAE can also get ruined.
      • MdSAE is less likely to get ruined.

       

      Recap and remarks

      • Forecast metrics are necessary aids for monitoring and improving forecast accuracy.
      • There are two major classes of metrics: absolute and relative.
      • Absolute measures (MAE, MdAE, RMSE) are natural choices when assessing forecasts of one item.
      • Relative measures (MAPE, MdRAE, MdSAE) are useful when comparing accuracy across items or between alternative forecasts of the same item or assessing accuracy relative to the natural variability of an item.
      • Intermittent demand presents divide-by-zero problems which favor MdSAE over MAPE.
      • When assessing forecasts of multiple items, it often makes sense to use weighted averages, weighting items differently by volume or revenue.
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          What is the difference between Demand planning and Inventory optimization ?

          The Smart Forecaster

          Pursuing best practices in demand planning,

          forecasting and inventory optimization

          What is the difference between Demand planning and Inventory optimization ? 

          The Smart Demand Planning app (SDP) provides demand forecasts. The SDP forecasting engine is also the core of the Smart Inventory Optimization app (SIO), which stress-tests various inventory policies using a number of demand scenarios to find optimal inventory policy settings.

           

           

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              Automatic Forecasting for Time Series Demand Projections

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                  Forecast Using Leading Indicators – Regression Analysis:

                  The Smart Forecaster

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                  In this video tutorial Dr. Thomas Willemain, co–Founder and SVP Research at Smart Software, presents Regression Analysis, a specialized statistical modeling technique to identify and harness leading indicators to achieve more accurate forecasts.  Regression analysis is a statistical procedure to estimate the relationship between a response variable and one or more predictor variables. Housing starts, for example, might be a good leading indicator of vinyl siding demand.  Tom explains how and when to use regression analysis and works through a practical example.

                  Forecasting Techniques for a more profitable business
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                  Companies that depend on spreadsheets for demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management are often constrained by the spreadsheet’s inherent limitations. This post examines the drawbacks of traditional inventory management approaches caused by spreadsheets and their associated costs, contrasting these with the significant benefits gained from embracing state-of-the-art planning technologies.

                  Finding Your Spot on the Inventory Tradeoff Curve

                  Finding Your Spot on the Inventory Tradeoff Curve

                  This video blog holds essential insights for those working with the complexities of inventory management. The session focuses on striking the right balance within the inventory tradeoff curve, inviting viewers to understand the deep-seated importance of this equilibrium.

                  Why MRO Businesses Need Add-on Service Parts Planning & Inventory Software

                  Why MRO Businesses Need Add-on Service Parts Planning & Inventory Software

                  MRO organizations exist in a wide range of industries, including public transit, electrical utilities, wastewater, hydro power, aviation, and mining. To get their work done, MRO professionals use Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. These systems are designed to do a lot of jobs. Given their features, cost, and extensive implementation requirements, there is an assumption that EAM and ERP systems can do it all. In this post, we summarize the need for add-on software that addresses specialized analytics for inventory optimization, forecasting, and service parts planning.

                  Recent Posts

                  • Epicor AI Forecasting and Inventory Technology Combined with Planner Knowledge for InsightsSmart Software to Present at Epicor Insights 2024
                    Smart Software will present at this year's Epicor Insights event in Nashville. If you plan to attend this year, please join us at booth #13 or #501, and learn more about Epicor Smart Inventory Planning and Optimization. . […]
                  • Looking for Trouble in Your Inventory DataLooking for Trouble in Your Inventory Data
                    In this video blog, the spotlight is on a critical aspect of inventory management: the analysis and interpretation of inventory data. The focus is specifically on a dataset from a public transit agency detailing spare parts for buses. […]
                  • BAF Case Study SIOP planning Distribution CenterBig Ass Fans Turns to Smart Software as Demand Heats Up
                    Big Ass Fans is the best-selling big fan manufacturer in the world, delivering comfort to spaces where comfort seems impossible. BAF had a problem: how to reliably plan production to meet demand. BAF was experiencing a gap between bookings forecasts vs. shipments, and this was impacting revenue and customer satisfaction BAF turned to Smart Software for help. […]
                  • The Cost of Doing nothing with your inventory Planning SystemsThe Cost of Spreadsheet Planning
                    Companies that depend on spreadsheets for demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management are often constrained by the spreadsheet’s inherent limitations. This post examines the drawbacks of traditional inventory management approaches caused by spreadsheets and their associated costs, contrasting these with the significant benefits gained from embracing state-of-the-art planning technologies. […]
                  • Randomness can be an Ally in the Forecasting BattleCan Randomness be an Ally in the Forecasting Battle?
                    When we try to understand the complex world of logistics, randomness plays a pivotal role. This introduces an interesting paradox: In a reality where precision and certainty are prized, could the unpredictable nature of supply and demand actually serve as a strategic ally? The quest for accurate forecasts is not just an academic exercise; it's a critical component of operational success across numerous industries. For demand planners who must anticipate product demand, the ramifications of getting it right—or wrong—are critical. Hence, recognizing and harnessing the power of randomness isn't merely a theoretical exercise; it’s a necessity for resilience and adaptability in an ever-changing environment. […]

                    Inventory Optimization for Manufacturers, Distributors, and MRO

                    • Why MRO Businesses Need Add-on Service Parts Planning & Inventory SoftwareWhy MRO Businesses Need Add-on Service Parts Planning & Inventory Software
                      MRO organizations exist in a wide range of industries, including public transit, electrical utilities, wastewater, hydro power, aviation, and mining. To get their work done, MRO professionals use Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. These systems are designed to do a lot of jobs. Given their features, cost, and extensive implementation requirements, there is an assumption that EAM and ERP systems can do it all. In this post, we summarize the need for add-on software that addresses specialized analytics for inventory optimization, forecasting, and service parts planning. […]
                    • Spare-parts-demand-forecasting-a-different-perspective-for-planning-service-partsThe Forecast Matters, but Maybe Not the Way You Think
                      True or false: The forecast doesn't matter to spare parts inventory management. At first glance, this statement seems obviously false. After all, forecasts are crucial for planning stock levels, right? It depends on what you mean by a “forecast”. If you mean an old-school single-number forecast (“demand for item CX218b will be 3 units next week and 6 units the week after”), then no. If you broaden the meaning of forecast to include a probability distribution taking account of uncertainties in both demand and supply, then yes. […]
                    • Whyt MRO Businesses Should Care about Excess InventoryWhy MRO Businesses Should Care About Excess Inventory
                      Do MRO companies genuinely prioritize reducing excess spare parts inventory? From an organizational standpoint, our experience suggests not necessarily. Boardroom discussions typically revolve around expanding fleets, acquiring new customers, meeting service level agreements (SLAs), modernizing infrastructure, and maximizing uptime. In industries where assets supported by spare parts cost hundreds of millions or generate significant revenue (e.g., mining or oil & gas), the value of the inventory just doesn’t raise any eyebrows, and organizations tend to overlook massive amounts of excessive inventory. […]
                    • Top Differences between Inventory Planning for Finished Goods and for MRO and Spare PartsTop Differences Between Inventory Planning for Finished Goods and for MRO and Spare Parts
                      In today’s competitive business landscape, companies are constantly seeking ways to improve their operational efficiency and drive increased revenue. Optimizing service parts management is an often-overlooked aspect that can have a significant financial impact. Companies can improve overall efficiency and generate significant financial returns by effectively managing spare parts inventory. This article will explore the economic implications of optimized service parts management and how investing in Inventory Optimization and Demand Planning Software can provide a competitive advantage. […]