Many operations managers struggle with combating inaccurate production forecast and coming up with an adequate plan to combat inventory levels. This is why utilizing the appropriate and most accurate forecasting methods is by far one of the most substantial components within any manufacturing operation.

Forecasting pertains to utilizing several different methods of estimating to determine possible future outcomes for the business. Planning for any these potential future outcomes is the scope of the job pertaining to operations management. Also, operations management involves management of the process required to manufacture and distribute products. A few of the important aspects of operations management include creating, developing, producing, and distributing products for the organization. Understanding the overall scope of these two fundamental and foundational jobs/process will aid in developing an adequate and beneficial production process. With this blog, we are going to discuss the advantages and disadvantages pertaining to forecasting and operations management and how they pertain to your operation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Forecasting
An organization that utilizes a variety of forecasting models to assets potential outcomes for a company can aid in combatting shortages on inventory. The methods that are utilized by an individual organization will depend on the data available and the industry in which the organization operation. The overall primary advantage pertaining to forecasting is that it provides businesses with valuable information that the business is able to use to make information about the future of the organization. Forecasting utilizes qualitative data that depends on the judgement from experts such as operations managers.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to accurately forecast the future. Because of the qualitative nature of forecasting, a business can come up with various scenarios depending upon the interpretation of data. This is why businesses should never completely rely on forecast or any forecasting model. Having said that, utilizing the data and forecasting models to conduct analysis and make decisions can greatly benefit your operation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Operations Management
Operations management is able to aid the organization through implementing strategic objectives, process, planning, and control. A primary focus pertaining to operations management is to effectively manage resources of an organization in order to ensure that the organization is able to maximize the potential of the products of services produced or offered by the company. Depending on an organization, operations management may include managing human resources, materials, information, inventory, transportation, logistics, and more.
Operations management depends on many different components within an organization working together to achieve success. Even if operations management creates an effective plan, if management does not adequately carry out the process or plan, it will more than likely fail. Mistakes often occur during the chain of events from manufacturing to sale, which is why coordinating operations functions pertaining to marketing, finance, accounting, and engineering is a must. This create a primary disadvantage pertaining to operations management, simply because if the individual components do not work well together, then operations management will have limited organizational success.
A software that can aid operations managers and forecasting is PlanetTogether’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software is a must for manufacturing facilities that are seeking to enhance their operation through cost reduction, profit increase, and ultimately overall operational efficiency enhancement. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software allows manufacturers to have thorough visibility in their manufacturing operation and ensure that demand is met through adequate production processes .
Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software has become a must for modern-day manufacturing operations due to customer demand for increased product mix and fast delivery combined with downward cost pressures. APS can be quickly integrated with a ERP/MRP software to fill gaps where these system lack planning and scheduling flexibility and accuracy. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) helps planners save time while providing greater agility in updating ever-changing priorities, production schedules, and inventory plans.
- Create optimized schedules balancing production efficiency and delivery performance
- Maximize output on bottleneck resources to increase revenue
- Synchronize supply with demand to reduce inventories
- Provide company-wide visibility to capacity
- Enable scenario data-driven decision making
Implementation of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software will take your manufacturing operations to the next level of production efficiency, taking advantage of the operational data you already have in your ERP.
Video: Turning Forecasts into Capacity Plans with PlanetTogether APS
In this video, you’ll see how PlanetTogether Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) converts production and operations management forecasts into realistic capacity plans. Learn how planners use forecast data, constraints, and ERP/MRP information to build finite-capacity schedules that improve on-time delivery and reduce inventory risk.
The video shows how APS takes the results of different forecasting methods and helps you decide what to run, when to run it, and on which resources.
You’ll see how PlanetTogether APS:
- Links demand forecasts to machines, labor, and material availability
- Balances production efficiency with service levels using optimized schedules
- Supports scenario-based planning, so you can compare plans under different forecast assumptions
- Provides company-wide visibility so operations management, planning, and finance all work from the same numbers
This video is ideal for operations managers, production planners, and demand planners who want to move from static forecasting spreadsheets to integrated forecasting, capacity planning, and APS-driven scheduling.
Bridge the Gap Between Forecasts and Production Plans
Choosing the right forecasting methods is only the first step. Real value comes when operations management can turn those forecasts into actionable production and capacity plans that protect service levels without overbuilding inventory. That is where demand planners and production planners need a shared view of demand, constraints, and scheduling options.
Download our Demand Planners Infographic to see how leading manufacturers:
- Turn qualitative and quantitative forecasts into clear production signals
- Align demand planning, operations management, and APS-driven scheduling
- Reduce shortages and excess stock by matching forecast accuracy with smarter planning decisions
- Use the data already in ERP/MRP and PlanetTogether to run scenarios and choose the most resilient plan
Share it with your demand planning and operations teams as a quick, visual guide to connecting forecasting methods with capacity planning and advanced scheduling, so your forecasts actually show up in better production outcomes.