FORECAST FUNCTION
Posted by Becca on October 30, 2001 8:17 AM
I am trying to use the FORECAST function to project
needed headcount for the rest of the year. I have the
number needed for each month, january thru september.
I think this function will project October-December.
If someone could share the details on how to use this,
I would appreciate it.
Thank you.
Posted by Aladin Akyurek on October 30, 2001 10:10 AM
Becca,
Lets say that A1:B9 houses the following data:
{"jan",25;
"feb",24;
"mar",32;
"apr",24;
"may",29;
"jun",25;
"jul",12;
"aug",28;
"sep",29}
In B10 enter: =TREND(B1:B9,,{10;11;12})
Select B10:B12, go to the Formula Bar, and hit CONTROL+SHIFT+ENTER at the same time.
You'll see the projected head counts in B10:B12 for Oct thru Dec that I believe will not be far off what you want.
Aladin
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Posted by Mark W. on October 30, 2001 2:00 PM
Becca, forecasting Q4 headcount based on Q1-Q3 is a dicey proposition...
...because you're not considering the cyclical
nature of business activity. A much more
reliable approach would be compare headcount
for a like period such as the last 5 years' 4th
quarter census with adjustments for annual growth.
