Solutions For Homework #2
Solutions For Homework #2
Chapter 4 Forecasting
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. The steps that should be used to develop a forecasting system are:
(a) Determine the purpose and use of the forecast
(b) Select the item or quantities that are to be forecasted
(c) Determine the time horizon of the forecast
(d) Select the type of forecasting model to be used
(e) Gather the necessary data
(f) Validate the forecasting model
(g) Make the forecast
(h) Implement the results
(i) Evaluate the accuracy of results, and if necessary revise the model (in case
of repetitive use)
C.f. also the corresponding slide in the class presentation on forecasting.
3. A time series model uses only historical values of the quantity of interest to predict
future values of that quantity. The associative model, on the other hand, attempts to
identify underlying causes or factors that control the variation of the quantity of
interest, predict future values of these factors, and use these predictions in a model
to predict future values of the specific quantity of interest.
4. Qualitative models incorporate subjective factors into the forecasting model.
Qualitative models are useful when subjective factors are important and/or in case
that more quantitative data is difficult to obtain. In general, in Operations
Management, longer term forecasts tend to be based more on qualitative rather than
quantitative models.
9. MAD (Mean Absolute Deviation) is the method for determining the accuracy of a
forecast by taking the average of the absolute deviations between the forecasted
values and actual/observed values. MAD is an important method because it
provides a measure of forecast accuracy that can be easily calculated. Furthermore,
in most practical cases, a good estimate of the standard deviation of the forecast
error, ethat characterizes the variability in the observed quantity, can be obtained
from MAD through the equation: e MAD.
16. Any functional relationship y = f(x) defines a causal relationship between variables
x and y, in the sense that knowledge of the value of x, allows the determination of
the value of y. Hence, x is characterized as the independent variable and y is
characterized as the dependent variable).
PROBLEMS
CASE STUDY 2
1. The concept of product life applies to Regal Marine because Regal is constantly
under pressure to introduce new products and those products have life cycles
of relatively few years. As it is suggested in the text material, it is a matter of
typically less than five years before a boat is out of style and its life cycle
terminated.
2. Regal Marine uses a strategy of product differentiation, which constantly
introduces new products with new innovations and new styling to stay
competitive in the luxury performance boat market. Some of these new designs
are enhancements or migrations of older ones.
3. The cost and time saving at Regal Marine through use of CAD is typical of the
use of CAD everywhere. It allows a variety of designs and styles to be tested
very fast and economically. The ratio of savings of engineering talent is about
four to one. Hence,, it allows them to be creative, both, economically and
rapidly.
4. The payoff from CAD is not only evident in efficiency, creative designs, and
styling but by production of the control code i.e., software - necessary for the
numerical machines, used in the production operations of Regal Marine. CAD
also provides, as a by-product, very effective and comprehensive documentation
of design variables.
Xi
1
2
3
4
5
6
21
3.5
Attendance (Yi)
39800
40200
46500
46100
48200
50100
270900
45150
91-(21^2)/6 =
985700-21*270900/6 =
Xi^2
1
4
9
16
25
36
91
Xi*Yi
39800
80400
139500
184400
241000
300600
985700
17.5
37550
2145.714
Sxy/Sxx =
37550/17.5 =
E[Y]- *E[X] = 45150 - 2145.714*(3.5) =
yi
37640
o 1 xi i
Y = 37640 + 2145.7*X
Game
1
2
3
4
5
Total
Model
y = 30,713 + 2,534x
y = 37,640 + 2,146x
y = 36,940 + 1,560x
y = 22,567 + 2,143x
y = 30,440 + 3,146x
Forecasts
2001
2002
48,453
50,988
52,660
54,806
47,860
49,420
37,567
39,710
52,460
55,606
239,000
250,530
R2
0.92
0.9
0.91
0.88
0.93