FORECASTING WITHIN OM: HOW IT ALL FITS TOGETHER
Forecasts impact not only other business functions but all other operations decisions. Operations managers make many forecasts, such as the expected demand for a company's products. These forecasts are then used to determine product designs that are expected to sell (Chapter 2), the quantity of product to produce (Chapters 5 and 6), and the amount of supplies and materials that are needed (Chapter 12). Also, a company uses forecasts to determine future space requirements (Chapter 10), capacity and location needs (Chapter 9), and the amount of labor needed (Chapter 11). Forecasts drive strategic operations decisions, such as choice of competitive priorities, changes in processes, and large technology purchases (Chapter 3). Forecast decisions also serve as the basis for tactical planning, such as developing worker schedules (Chapter 11). Virtually all operations management decisions are based on a forecast of the future.
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