Forecast & Evaluate Market Trends

Overview

This course develops essential market forecasting and trend analysis skills for research professionals. Learners will master techniques for analyzing historical data to predict future demand and evaluating the strategic relevance of emerging trends. Through practical application with time-series data, learners will build the predictive capabilities needed to support forward-looking business decisions.

Syllabus

Demand Forecasting and Time-Series Analysis

This module lays the groundwork for proactive decision-making by teaching learners how to look into the future using data. Participants will move beyond guesswork and learn to apply exponential smoothing—a powerful time-series forecasting technique. Using a hands-on approach, they will analyze historical data to identify underlying patterns and generate a quantitative demand forecast, a critical skill for managing resources and strategy.

Strategic Trend Evaluation and Prioritization

In this module, learners shift from predicting demand to evaluating opportunities. They will learn that not all trends are created equal and will build a structured scoring framework to separate high-impact signals from market noise. By applying this methodology, participants will learn to prioritize trends based on objective criteria, enabling them to make compelling, evidence-based recommendations for strategic focus.