Apparatus and method for forecasting data using fuzzy boundaries
A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to construct a control chart containing business data values and control limits that account for the inherent uncertainty associated with defining precise alert thresholds. A forecast is then made for the control chart and the results of the forecast are then specified.
1 . A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
executable instructions to construct a control chart characterizing data values and an alert threshold accommodating levels of uncertainty.
2 . The computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the executable instructions to construct a control chart include executable instructions to define alert thresholds and levels of uncertainty.
3 . The computer-readable medium of claim 2 , wherein the executable instructions to define levels of uncertainty include instructions to specify a percent of uncertainty associated with an alert threshold.
4 . The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising executable instructions to:
analyze the control chart to produce a forecast;
compare the forecast to an alert threshold accommodating specified levels of uncertainty; and
identify if the forecast exceeds the alert threshold.
5 . The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the executable instructions to analyze include executable instructions to identify a pattern in the control chart.
6 . The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the executable instructions to identify a pattern include executable instructions to apply regression analysis to the control chart.
7 . The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the executable instructions to apply regression analysis include executable instructions to identify linear and non-linear curves.
8 . The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the executable instructions to identify include executable instructions to visually depict a forecast.
9 . The computer-readable medium of claim 4 further comprising executable instructions to report an alert.
10 . The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the executable instructions to report an alert include executable instructions to provide regression analysis information.
11 . The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the executable instructions to report an alert include executable instructions to generate an alert email.
12 . The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the executable instructions to report an alert include executable instructions to present an alert visual indicator.