Question 1: What is the difference between quantitative forecast methods and qualitative forecast methods?

Question 2: Discuss the role of forecasting in supply chain management.

Question 3: Describe the Delphi method for forecasting.

Question 4: Selecting from MAD, MAPD,andwhich measure of forecast accuracy do you consider superior? Why?

Question 5: A motorcycle dealer in the Ottawa area wants to be able to accurately forecast the demand for the Super Hog motorcycle during the next month. From sales records, the dealer has accumulated the data in the following table for the past year.

Month	Motorcycle Sales	Month	Motorcycle Sales
January	9	July	10
February	7	August	11
March	10	September	12
April	7	October	10
May	8	November	14
June	12	December	16

a. Calculate a three-month moving average forecast of demand for April through January (of the next year).

b. Calculate a five-month moving average forecast for June through January.

c. Compare the two forecasts calculated in parts (a) and (b) using MAD. Which one should the dealer use for January of the next year?

Question 6: The manager of the Trans-Canada Carpet outlet needs to be able to forecast accurately the demand for Soft Shag carpet (its biggest seller). If the manager does not order enough carpet from the carpet mill, customers will buy their carpets from one of the outlets many competitors. The manager has collected the following demand data for the past eight months.

Month	Demand for Soft Shag Carpet (1000 m)	Month	Demand for Soft Shag Carpet (1000 m)
1	5	5	14
2	10	6	10
3	6	7	9
4	8	8	12

a. Calculate a three-month moving average forecast for months 6 through 9.

b. Calculate a weighted three-month moving average forecast for months 6 through 9. Assign weights of 0.55, 0.33, and 0.12 to the months in sequence, starting with the most recent month.

c. Calculate the forecasting month 9 by using exponential smoothing method. Assume the forecast for the month of 5this 14.

d. Compare the two forecasts using MAD. Which forecast appears to be more accurate?