Question

1. If Boeing has a plan to build a new assembly plant in Dayton, what kind of forecasting methods should Boeing choose to use to facilitate this capacity decision? And Why? Note:Your selection of forecasting method(s) should be clear and specific. First explain whether you prefer quantitative or qualitative methods or both. If quantitative methods are proposed, please explain specifically what types of quantitative forecasting methods: time series forecasting methods or causal methods or others; and if you propose time series forecasting methods, you are also expected to further explain which type of time series forecasting methods: moving average, simple exponential smoothing, etc.
2. Which aggregate planning strategy (level or chase) is more appealing when Boeing plans for their assembling production in their Seattle facility? And Why?

Answer 1

I would use a qualitative forecasting method. I would choose this because qualitative forecasting is generally used to take advantage of expert knowledge, which is useful when a product is new, which is the case here. You could specifically use the Delphi Method, which is where you choose experts from a variety of different areas to fill out questionnaires to find the answers you’re looking for.

Level strategy is more appealing. I say this because you would want a constant level of workforce and not have to train a bunch of new people every few months to make planes. Another reason is because this strategy is more appealing when resources are difficult or expensive to alter, which is true with planes.