Forecasting: Science or Art? | SupplyChainBrain

Forecasting: Science or Art?

Thomas Schleicher, PhD, Senior Director- Measurement Science, NCP

January 24, 2014

Good forecasting is a blend of both art and science, according to Thomas Schleicher of the National Consumer Panel. He discusses the scientific measurement aspects of forecasting as well as the art of collaborating across functions to make informed assumptions. [Run Time (Min.): 8:50]

Related Content

Related Videos

Featured Product

Photo: iStock/Anastasiia Yanishevska

How a Leading U.S. Floral Distribution Company Reduced Warehouse Labor Costs by 45% with RFID

Recycled Tagging Fasteners: Small Changes Make a Big Impact

Mobile geolocation service for track delivery, cargo shipment and freight transportation. Logistic Import Export business (Elements of this image furnished by NASA)

Enhancing High-Value Electronics Shipment Security with Tive's Real-Time Tracking

Franchise business e-commerce online e-marketplace or digital marketing branch expansion for growth or use technology to analyze product consumer data website management plan for sale service concept.

Moving Robots Site-to-Site

Uber Freight: High Fuel Costs Squeeze Small Truckload Carriers

Uber Freight recommends shippers lock in baseline capacity, build a surge playbook, and evaluate alternatives now before the heart of peak.

Photo: Uber Freight

Preparing for Peak Season: What to Ask an Expedite Provider Before You Need One

None of these questions is hard to ask. They’re only hard to ask in November, with a line down and a dispatcher on hold.

Delivery Truck Generic I Stock Suprun 175490807

Why Going Global Isn't Always the Right Call

For years, global sourcing has helped companies reduce production costs, access specialized suppliers, and achieve greater scale. But today’s supply chains face tariff uncertainty, geopolitical risk, transportation disruption, supplier concentration, inventory pressure, and rising customer expectations.

Supply Chain Brain Thumbnail

5 Ways Aftermarket Parts Distributors Improve Uptime, Accuracy, and Scalability with Goods-to-Person Automation

Aftermarket parts distributors face a unique set of fulfillment challenges. SKU counts continue to grow, demand can change without warning, and customers often need parts quickly to restore critical equipment. At the same time, distributors must maintain accuracy, control costs, and operate with limited labor.

Thumbnail (1)

When Did 3PLs Become Banks?

3PL clients who can see what they’re paying for behave differently in a contract renewal conversation.

Photo: iStock / Shutter2U

Why You Need to Add Orchestration to Logistics Execution

The conversation around 4PL should be less about terminology and more about architecture.

Image: iStock/jeancliclac

Watch: Are Shippers Returning to 4PLs?

Tariffs, geopolitical risk and supply chain complexity are causing organizations to reconsider fourth-party logistics providers, says Osi Tagger, chief executive officer of Unilog.

036 Are Shippers Returning To 4pls V1 (540p)

Your Freight Tech Provider Needs to Have Sat in Your Seat

The people building your freight tech should have lived the work it's meant to support. They need to have sat in your seat.

Photo: iStock / FG Trade

Beyond the RFP: Strategic Resilience Through a Mode-Diverse Capacity Solution

As transportation markets continue to evolve, flexibility may become one of the most valuable assets of any supply chain.

Photo: iStock / ake1150sb

Five Ways AI is Transforming Fleet Safety and Operational Performance

Fleet managers are responsible for improving efficiency and maintaining service levels while managing increasing fleet complexity. As a result, fleet safety has become a more strategic initiative in many businesses. Developments in AI mean businesses are turning to artificial intelligence to proactively manage risk and improve operational outcomes.

W Desf21c8

Kuehne+Nagel Weighs Options For Apex Logistics Unit

Kuehne+Nagel bought the majority of Apex in 2021, then the rest in 2025 at an enterprise value of more than $4 billion.

A warehouse in Texas. Photo: iStock/halbergman

How eGourmet Solutions Scaled Order Management to Meet Rapid Growth

When e-commerce demand surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, cold chain logistics provider eGourmet Solutions faced a defining test of its operational scalability.

Techdinamics Q3 26 Thumb

Page 1 of 497