Forecast Error Metrics for Navy Inventory Management Performance
Abstract
This research establishes metrics for determining overall Navy secondary inventory forecasting accuracy when compared to actual demands at the Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP). Specifically, two performance metrics are introduced: the average performance index (API) and the median absolute deviation performance index (MPI). API measures forecasting accuracy of secondary inventory when compared against demand or forecast performance over a four-quarter period. MPI measures the quarterly variability of forecast errors over the same period. The API and MPI metrics allow for the identification of poorly forecasted NAVICP secondary inventory items. The metrics can be applied to entire inventories or subsets of items based on type, demand, or cost. In addition, the API metric can be used to show overall inventory performance, providing NAVICP with a graphical means to assess forecasting performance improvements (or degradations) over time. The new forecasting accuracy methods developed in this research will allow the Navy to continually gauge the overall health of their inventory management practices and provide a method for improving forecasting accuracy. Additionally, they will assist NAVICP in complying with DoD directives that require NAVICP to monitor and continually develop improvements to inventory management practices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA543431
Entities
People
- Kenneth J. Jackson
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School