Forecasting for A-CAT Corp.: Case Analysis

The assignment requires teams to analyze A-CAT Corp.'s forecasting process using the Ivey case study. The task involves researching the electrical appliances industry in India, plotting data, and creating at least three forecast models using combined quantitative techniques. The report should include an executive summary, industry analysis, and recommendation, with a focus on forecasting techniques, correlation, and error minimization.

OPER2045 – Master Planning Fall 2018
Assignment # 1 (KH)– 12.5% of Final Grade
A-CAT Corp.: Forecasting – Ivey Case
This case analysis is to be prepared in teams of 2-3. Please sign your
team up in class. Go through the process of a case prep to start. That
will help you with the analysis of the case.
Your case analysis needs to cover the following questions:
1. Research the electrical appliances industry in India. (1 page
maximum) Pay particular attention to the market segment that A-
CAT Corp. competes in. What significance does this analysis have
on the forecasting process that A-CAT Corp. should use? Please
document references in report.
2. Plot the data and describe what you see. What does it mean and
how would you use the information from the plot to help you
develop a forecast. Look at both yearly and monthly data.
3. Create at least 3 forecast models, using 2 or more combined
quantitative forecasting techniques for the demand over the next
12 months. Put each model in a separate worksheet. Correlation
should be considered. Based on the historical data provided,
determine which one has the least amount of error. Can we assume
that will be the best forecast? Why not?
4. Recommend what forecasting process A-CAT Corp. should be using.
What forecasting techniques should they use? Who should be
involved in forecasting? How will they monitor the forecast going
forward? What external information should be used? The final
forecast recommendation model including adjustment for
qualitative data should be in a separate worksheet.
Report Format: A word document and excel file are required.
A team contract, you choose format is due by week of October 1 at
end of lab class. This team contract should at a minimum include
performance expected from each team member including progressive
discipline (a basis for positive or negative reinforcement), a project
plan- when meeting, what discussing, preparation required, your
contact information, and all team members must sign. On previous
assignments there were a few issues and most of you have suggested
on your lessons learned that you should not procrastinate. The project
plan may help you follow through on your lessons learned if you follow
it. There are more detailed instructions on eConestoga.
Word Document- Hardcopy hand in required and electronic copy in
dropbox. This is all I require-not written case analysis.
 Include a title page with project name, student names and ID,
professor name and date submitted
 Executive Summary

 Industry Analysis
 Recommendation-make sure you have covered all of the questions
in 4.
 Use Tahoma 12 point font and 1” margins and single-spaced.
 Ensure you properly reference ALL sources using APA formatting.
 To comply with copyright laws, RECEIPT FOR IVEY CASE FROM
ALL STUDENTS ON THE TEAM MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE
REPORT OR NO MARK.
Excel File- this will be put into eConestoga assignment dropbox.
 Please put each forecasting model in its own workbook
 Assignment is to be submitted through eConestoga assignment
dropbox by October 12 at 7:45 am. A hard copy of the written
report is to be submitted to the instructor in the lab class. Only
submit one assignment per team.
 Submit only two files. The first file is the word file (either Word or
PDF). The second file is an Excel file, which should include all of
your forecasting models.
LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF 0.