Chapter 2

About Forecasting

Forecasting is more art than science. There are no magic methods that always work, let alone a computer program that will forecast by itself. The heart of forecasting is guessing well, and the best guess is an educated guess. So use your common sense and judgment and as much information as possible. As you prepare a forecast, first look at as many angles as you can, consider past trends, new developments, cycles, and anything else that might give you a hint.

Consider the weather forecast, which is one of the best forecasts available anywhere. Meteorologists study wind patterns, satellite pictures, air pressure, and ...

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