Forecast Levels

You can define the data aggregation level at which the forecast is generated.

For example, the forecast can be generated at the detailed level of item and organization or at the aggregate level of product category and customer. Based on the forecast configuration and data, you can generate a forecast at one of several levels. Identifying the aggregation level at which forecast is generated can help you understand the resulting forecast for your business decisions.

The data aggregation levels at which forecasts are generated are derived from the Forecasting Table definitions selected for the forecasting profile. The table definition determines the first aggregation level and the subsequent levels that are used in a forecast.

The following predefined tables are used as the forecasting tables for the predefined forecasting profiles:

• Forecast Shipments Definitions

• Forecast Bookings Definitions

The data aggregation level at which a combination's forecast is generated is stored in a measure specific to that forecasting profile. A value of 1 denotes the first aggregation level, 2 is the next higher level, and so on.

Predefined measures enable you to view the average forecast levels for product categories. Categories with higher forecast levels indicate that forecast is typically failing at the first attempted level.