Martin and Alec have long studied the application of statistical process control (SPC) concepts to forecasting and planning. The objective of SPC is to distinguish ÒnormalÓ variation in the output of a process from a signal that the process is changing Ð and possibly out of control. The...

Applying decades of experience in pharmaceutical forecasting, Alec Finney and Martin Joseph offer a template for steering the forecasting and planning process through organizational pitfalls to a successful outcome. Some lessons were learned the hard way; but aren't these lessons the most...

In our previous issue (Winter 2011), Alec Finney and Martin Joseph advised readers on how to fine-tune a company’s forecasting and planning fundamentals. They recommended a three-step audit to focus on: • How good do we think we are? • In reality, how good are we? • How good should we...

In their previous Foresight article (Winter 2009), Alec Finney and Martin Joseph described the Forecasting Mantra, the elements of which guide the proper creation and presentation of the forecast. Now they employ the Mantra as a basis for an audit of an organization’s forecasting performance....