You can use the material forecast to determine planned independent requirement quantities. You must maintain the following data in the forecast screens in the material master record:

• Number of the required forecast values
• Forecast periodicity

The forecast is based on the consumption values in the material master record. The system uses the periodicity of the forecast values and the number of forecast values to be calculated as recorded in the material master record.

1. To determine the planning quantities using the forecast, on the schedule lines screen, select Edit ® Execute forecast.

The Forecast Date dialog box appears.

2. Select the forecast date. Depending on the periodicity, the system displays the current period and the subsequent period. Choose Continue.

The Forecast: Model Selection dialog box appears.

The forecast period is copied from the specification in the material master record, and cannot be changed.

3. Check and, if necessary, change this period by using historical data to determine the forecast values.
4. Select the forecast model, and select Perform forecast.

The system displays a dialog box. You can choose the procedure to be used for calculating the forecast values.

5. Select the procedure to be used for calculating the forecast values. Select Perform forecast.

The system calculates the forecast values. The systems displays the Forecast: Results dialog box. Check and, if necessary, change the forecast values.

The following model parameters and criteria for determining the accuracy of the forecast are displayed in this dialog box:

– Basic value

– Trend value

– MAD (mean absolute deviation)

– Error total

6. You can display the results of the forecast in a graphic, and change the graphic. Select Interac.graphics.

The system displays the interactive graphic. Change the graphic, if necessary.

7. To save the forecast, select Copy.

Extended Help for Consumption-Based Planning (MM-CBP) and Managing Material Master Data (LO-MD-MM).