Introduction to Forecasting and Resource Planning

Learning Level: Specialist
Format: Multi-Session
Delivery: Virtual
Online

When demand shifts and resources feel stretched, guesswork is costly. This course gives you the confidence to predict what is coming next and align your people and time to meet it. You will leave with practical tools to turn uncertainty into clear, actionable plans.

Forecasting and resource planning often feel complex, but they don’t have to be. This course breaks down the essentials into simple, practical approaches that you can understand and apply with confidence. Whether you’re new to resource planning or looking to strengthen your existing knowledge, you will develop a clear understanding of the principles that underpin effective workforce planning.

During this interactive two-part virtual course, you’ll explore how to anticipate customer demand, identify patterns and trends, and avoid the common planning pitfalls that can lead to over or under resourcing. Through practical examples, guided exercises and real-world scenarios, you’ll learn how forecasting, scheduling and resource planning work together to support both operational performance and the customer experience.

The course also explores how effective planning helps create a better balance between customer demand, service levels and colleague wellbeing. You’ll gain an appreciation of the decisions planners make every day and how those decisions influence productivity, employee engagement and business performance.

Whether you’re planning for short-term workloads, managing day-to-day operational changes or considering longer-term capacity requirements, this course provides the structure, confidence and practical tools to make informed decisions. By the end of the programme, you’ll have a solid foundation in resource planning, a better understanding of forecasting principles and the confidence to contribute more effectively to planning discussions within your organisation.

Course Content

  • Forecasting fundamentals: Understand core principles and why forecasting matters
  • Types of demand: Explore predictable and variable workloads
  • Data interpretation basics: Learn how to read and question your data
  • Simple forecasting methods: Apply practical techniques for everyday planning
  • Capacity planning essentials: Match available resources to expected demand
  • Managing uncertainty: Build flexibility into your plans
  • Scenario planning: Prepare for best and worst case situations
  • Resource optimisation: Use what you have more effectively
  • Common planning mistakes: Identify and avoid frequent pitfalls
  • Communicating plans: Present forecasts clearly and confidently

Learning Outcomes

  • Distinguish between different types of demand and their impact on forecasting approach
  • Interpret demand data to identify trends, variation and anomalies
  • Apply at least two simple forecasting methods to generate demand projections
  • Calculate resource requirements based on forecasted demand and available capacity
  • Build and compare best case, worst case and expected planning scenarios
  • Identify common forecasting and planning errors and correct them in your own approach
  • Present forecasts and resource plans clearly using a structured narrative

Who should attend?

People planning workload, capacity and team resources

What will you learn?

Forecast demand and align resources using practical methods

How much is it?

£340 + VAT for members, £425 + VAT for non-members.

Format Info

Group discount

Additional discounts available for group bookings

Who is it for?

People planning workload, capacity and team resources

Why should you go?

Forecast demand and align resources using practical methods

How much is it?

£340 + VAT for members, £425 + VAT for non-members.

What our delegates say

“An engaging course split over two days, which meant it never felt like information overload. Steve was incredibly helpful and took the time to stay behind after the sessions to answer questions and provide extra support.”
Kelseigh Hardy, Head of Scheduling & Planning, Magenta Living

“It was really good. It was a lot more complex than I thought it was! There were a lot of planners on the call and I felt a little out of my comfort zone with some of the exercises, but Steve was great and stayed behind after both sessions to help me. I really appreciated the extra support.”
Carly Freeman, Head of CS, Insite Energy

Meet the Trainer

Steve Woosey

Steve is an industry recognised expert in planning and operational management. Having worked for the Forum (Professional Planning Forum) for over 12 years, the last 5 as CEO, Steve has run numerous industry events, created standards frameworks for planning and insight, developed a University degree programme in Customer Contact Management and worked with many businesses to raise standards in their operation (Sky, Direct Line, RSA, Tesco Bank Insurance, Co-Op). Since starting in consultancy in September 2018, Steve has worked with numerous businesses in both the public and private sector assisting them in delivering improved resource planning and customer contact performance.

Upcoming Dates

Select a date to book. You will be taken directly to our registration page, which will open in a new broswer window.
Wed 23 Sep 2026 – Thu 24 Sep 2026
9:00 – 12:00
Wed 20 Jan 2027 – Thu 21 Jan 2027
9:00 – 12:00

Ready to book this course?

Select a date now to book or join the CCMA first and save on all Academy training courses.
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