A forecast run is a tool to simulate material availability. That is, it is used to verify whether the material required for construction or fabrication is -- or will be -- available for use. It is also a ‘look-ahead’ function used to plan subcontractor staffing.
A forecast run will NOT change on-hand quantities in the inventory or BOM expected
quantities.
A typical question the material controller may have to answer is:
How many and which BOMs could be prefabricated or installed at a specific date in the future, if all material that has already been received, plus all material that is currently on purchase orders and on approved requisitions, will be delivered on that specified date?
The result of a forecast run will answer such a question. Forecast runs require the following aspects to be defined:
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Header - General information about the forecast run
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Options - Analysis options defined for each forecast run or calculation
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Assigned Warehouses - The warehouses to be queried for material
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Assigned Work Packages - The scope of material to be included in the forecast
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Run Limitations - Limiting factors affecting the material.