Forecasting Basics
The process of estimating future staffing needs.
What is workforce forecasting?
A common issue when too few people are allocated to a project.
What is understaffing?
This spreadsheet program is still widely used for basic forecasting.
What is Microsoft Excel?
You have a new project starting next quarter. What do you need to do first?
What is assess resource availability and demand?
The total number of work hours available in a given period.
What is capacity?
This type of data is often used to forecast future needs based on past demand.
What is historical data?
Failing to consider this factor can lead to over‑promising project delivery.
What is employee availability?
This forecasting type estimates staffing based on project scope and timelines.
What is project‑based forecasting?
A key employee goes on leave. What forecasting step could have prepared for this?
What is building in buffer or contingency resources?
The term for moving resources from one project to another.
What is reallocation or resource shifting?
The "right person, right time, right skills" principle is the goal of this process.
What is resource planning?
This problem occurs when the forecast doesn’t match changing project priorities.
What is misalignment or outdated forecasting?
This type of analysis looks at people needed per output unit.
What is ratio analysis?
You hired too many people for a short‑term job. What happened?
What is over‑forecasting or poor demand prediction?
A person who balances supply and demand of resources.
What is a resource manager?
Name one major reason resource forecasting fails.
What is poor data, unclear goals, or lack of communication?
If no backup plan exists for sudden resignations, you're lacking this.
What is contingency planning or succession planning?
This visual tool helps show team allocation across time.
What is a resource Gantt chart or resource calendar?
You are forecasting for a seasonal spike in customer service. What kind of data should you use?
What is historical trend data?
The percent of time an employee is booked on tasks.
What is utilization rate?
This method uses statistical models to predict resource needs.
What is quantitative forecasting?
This forecasting error happens when managers rely solely on their gut.
What is subjective bias or over-reliance on expert judgment?
AI and real‑time dashboards are features of this kind of tool.
What are resource management platforms or ERP systems?
You’re managing 4 overlapping projects. What tool can help visualize conflicts?
What is a resource allocation matrix or workload view?
A visual that maps resource supply vs. demand over time.
What is a resource forecast or capacity planning chart?