ONLEARN COURSE
Excel for Strategic Foresight: Predicting Trends & Outcomes
Go beyond data entry. Leverage Excel's analytical power to model future scenarios, identify emerging trends, and make proactive decisions with confidence.
IntermediateEnglish4 sections5 hours564 students
What you’ll be able to do
- Apply advanced Excel functions for data cleaning and preparation for forecasting.
- Perform time series analysis to identify historical trends and seasonality.
- Build and interpret simple linear and multiple regression models for prediction.
- Develop scenario planning models to assess various future outcomes.
- Conduct sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of variable changes on predictions.
- Visualize forecast data effectively to communicate strategic insights.
- Utilize Excel's Goal Seek and Solver tools for optimization in predictive scenarios.
Inside this course
4 sections · 16 activities · 5 hours total length
01Module 1: Foundations of Predictive Analytics in Excel
- Introduction to Strategic Foresight & Excel's Role10:00
- Data Preparation and Cleaning for Forecasting25:00
- Understanding Key Statistical Concepts for Prediction20:00
- Practical Exercise: Data Cleaning Challenge17:00
02Module 2: Time Series Analysis and Basic Forecasting
- Identifying Trends, Seasonality, and Cyclical Patterns20:00
- Moving Averages and Exponential Smoothing30:00
- Using Excel's FORECAST.ETS Function25:00
- Hands-on Lab: Sales Forecasting with Time Series Methods15:00
03Module 3: Regression Analysis for Predictive Modeling
- Introduction to Linear Regression in Excel25:00
- Building and Interpreting Multiple Regression Models30:00
- Assessing Model Accuracy and Assumptions20:00
- Practical Application: Predicting Customer Churn with Regression18:00
04Module 4: Scenario Planning and Sensitivity Analysis
- Developing What-If Scenarios with Data Tables20:00
- Advanced Scenario Management with Scenario Manager20:00
- Performing Sensitivity Analysis for Risk Assessment15:00
- Lab: Financial Projection with Multiple Scenarios15:00
About this course
Unlock Excel's power for strategic foresight. Learn to analyze data, predict trends, and model future outcomes to make informed business decisions.
Who this is for
- Business analysts and data professionals looking to enhance their predictive modeling skills in Excel.
- Managers and decision-makers seeking to leverage data for strategic planning and forecasting.
- Anyone interested in understanding future trends and outcomes using practical Excel techniques.
- Students and researchers needing to perform predictive analysis for projects or studies.
- Entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to make data-driven decisions.
Before you begin
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel (familiarity with basic functions, formulas, and charts).
- Microsoft Excel 2016 or newer (desktop version recommended for full functionality).
- Basic understanding of statistical concepts is helpful but not strictly required.
- Commitment to hands-on practice and applying learned concepts.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES
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A few useful details
How will I learn?
Work through the course sections and activities in your Onlearn course player, at your own pace. Your progress is saved to your account.
Is this a subscription?
No. Each course is purchased separately with one payment.