Judgmental Business Forecasting in Excel (Coursera)

Offered by Macquarie University,
Judgmental Business Forecasting in Excel (Coursera)

In this course, we extend your business forecasting expertise from the first two courses of our Business Forecasting Specialisation on Time Series Models and Regression Models. We will explore the role of judgmental forecasting, when more quantitative forecasting methods have limitations, and we need to generate further business insights.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

We will be exploring some structured methodologies to create judgmental business forecasts using Business Indicators, Subjective Assessment Methods, and Exploratory Methods. For each of these methods, we will look at how we can use Excel to help us in achieving these judgmental forecasts and how Excel can help us visualising our forecast findings. Being judgmental forecasting methods, we will also look at the role of biases in Business Forecasting,

Course 3 of 3 in the Excel Skills for Business Forecasting Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Welcome and Critical Information
In this course, we extend your business forecasting expertise from the first two courses of our Business Forecasting Specialisation on Time Series Models and Regression Models. We will explore the role of judgmental forecasting, when more quantitative forecasting methods have limitations, and we need to generate further business insights. We will be exploring some structured methodologies to create judgmental business forecasts using Business Indicators, Subjective Assessment Methods, and Exploratory Methods. For each of these methods, we will look at how we can use Excel to help us in achieving these judgmental forecasts and how Excel can help us visualising our forecast findings. Being judgmental forecasting methods, we will also look at the role of biases in Business Forecasting,
Business Indicators
In this topic, we will explore the role that Business Indicators can play in creating business forecasts, in particular to make judgments on the cyclical component, via predicting turns in the business cycle. We will then look at how Excel can help us execute these insights into business forecasts.

WEEK 2
Subjective Assessment Methods
In this topic, we will be exploring 3 different Subjective Assessment Methods for judgmental forecasting. These are structured methodologies to follow when creating judgmental forecasts. We will be looking at the Sales Force Composite Method, the Jury of Executive Opinion, and Subjective Probability Assessments. We will then look at how Excel can assist in executing these methodologies.

WEEK 3
Exploratory Methods
In this topic, we will be exploring 2 different Exploratory Methods for judgmental forecasting. These are structured methodologies to follow when creating judgmental forecasts. We will be looking at the Delphi Method and Scenario Analysis. We will then look at how Excel can assist in executing these methodologies.

WEEK 4
Biases & Bringing All of Business Forecasting Together
In this topic, we will reflect on the biases that can occur when conducting business forecasts. Then, we will be bringing all the topics together in a case study based assessment, where you will need to apply the principles of judgment to decide the forecasting method used, and utilise judgmental forecasting.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate II (Coursera) Coursera
Macquarie University

Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate II (Coursera)

Spreadsheet software remains one of the most ubiquitous pieces of software used in workplaces across the world. Learning to confidently operate this software means adding a highly valuable asset to your employability portfolio. In this third course of our Excel specialization Excel Skills for Business you will delve deeper into some of the most powerful features Excel has to offer.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Habilidades de Excel para el negocio: Conceptos básicos (Coursera) Coursera
Macquarie University

Habilidades de Excel para el negocio: Conceptos básicos (Coursera)

En este primer curso de la especialización de habilidades de Excel para el negocio, aprenderá los conceptos básicos de Microsoft Excel. En seis semanas, podrá navegar, de forma experta, a través de la interfaz de usuario de Excel, realizar cálculos básicos con fórmulas y funciones, dar formato profesional a hojas de cálculo y crear visualizaciones de datos a través de gráficos y cuadros.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel (Coursera) Coursera
Microsoft

Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel (Coursera)

This course is intended for learners with some experience using Microsoft Windows, who are seeking to build presentation skills with Microsoft Excel. To be successful in this course you should have an understanding of the basics of using a Windows-based computer. Experience with printing and using a web browser are an asset, but not required.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Excel Skills for Business: Essentials (Coursera) Coursera
Macquarie University

Excel Skills for Business: Essentials (Coursera)

In this first course of the specialization Excel Skills for Business you will learn the Essentials of Microsoft Excel. Within six weeks, you will learn to expertly navigate the Excel user interface, perform basic calculations with formulas and functions, professionally format spreadsheets, and create visualizations of data through charts and graphs.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mastering Excel Essentials to Enhance Business Value (Coursera) Coursera
Illinois Tech

Mastering Excel Essentials to Enhance Business Value (Coursera)

This course is designed to cater to a diverse audience, particularly those with an interest in working in dynamic environments that place a strong emphasis on data-driven, quantitative analysis. Whether you are an experienced professional seeking to enhance your skills or someone looking to pivot into a cutting-edge industry, this course provides valuable insights and knowledge to thrive in today's data-centric and rapidly evolving landscape.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 1 (Coursera)

Designed for students with no prior statistics knowledge, this course will provide a foundation for further study in data science, data analytics, or machine learning. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, and discrete and continuous probability distributions. Assignments are conducted in Microsoft Excel (Windows or Mac versions). Designed to be taken with the follow-up course, “Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 2.”

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Data for Business Analysts Using Microsoft Excel (Coursera) Coursera
Microsoft

Data for Business Analysts Using Microsoft Excel (Coursera)

In this course, you’ll learn how to make use of Excel in business scenarios for data analysis. You’ll also learn how to utilize formulas and functions for data analysis.  Specifically, this course will help you gain knowledge and skills for preparing data for analysis using Microsoft Excel and take you one step closer to becoming a Business Analyst. 

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate I (Coursera) Coursera
Macquarie University

Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate I (Coursera)

In this second course of our Excel specialization Excel Skills for Business you will build on the strong foundations of the Essentials course. Intermediate Skills I will expand your Excel knowledge to new horizons. You are going to discover a whole range of skills and techniques that will become a standard component of your everyday use of Excel.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Competencias digitales. Herramientas de ofimática (Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point) (Coursera) Coursera
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Competencias digitales. Herramientas de ofimática (Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point) (Coursera)

Los continuos cambios tecnológicos, sobre todo en aquellos aspectos vinculados a las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) hacen que las personas tengan la necesidad de actualizarse de forma continua para que sus conocimientos no queden obsoletos. En este contexto, para las empresas se convierte en algo imprescindible disponer de profesionales que tengan las competencias necesarias para ejercer con éxito las actividades que requieren en su lugar de trabajo.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Power Pivot Fundamentals (Coursera) Coursera
Corporate Finance Institute

Power Pivot Fundamentals (Coursera)

This course provides step-by-step instructions for how to set-up a business intelligence dashboard in Excel using the Power Pivot add-on. You’ll learn the key functions and best practices for setting-up a dashboard. As you progress through the course, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned to a hands-on example using data we provide.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks