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Forecasting Skills: See the Future Before it Happens

Approx. 13 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course provides students with the skills needed to forecast future outcomes based on historical data. Students will learn how to use statistical methods and software tools to make accurate predictions.

Key Learning Points

Understand the principles of forecasting
Learn statistical methods for time series analysis
Gain experience using software tools for forecasting

Learning Outcomes

Develop the ability to accurately forecast future outcomes based on historical data
Gain experience using statistical methods and software tools for time series analysis
Enhance your data analysis skills

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of statistics
Proficiency in a statistical software tool such as R or SAS

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced
Video lectures
Hands-on exercises

Similar Courses

Data Analysis and Statistical Inference
Forecasting and Time Series Analysis
Applied Data Science with Python

Notable People in This Field

Statistician and Founder of FiveThirtyEight
Former Chief Data Scientist of the United States

Related Books

Description

For many people, the future comes as a surprise – or even a shock. But with strong forecasting skills, YOU can avoid future shock. You can adapt faster, and become better prepared to benefit from change.

In this course, you’ll build your future forecasting skills. You'll learn how to turn groups of "signals" (clues about the future) and "drivers" (global forces that influence the direction of change) into compelling future forecasts. Forecasts help you discover new possibilities and opportunities for yourself, your company, or any community you want to inspire to make a better future. You'll also learn how to write future scenarios. Scenarios take forecasts one step further. They spark imagination and tell a story about what might happen if a forecast comes true. Scenarios help you evaluate: Is this a future I'm ready for? Is this a future I want? Leading futurists from the Institute for the Future will show you exactly how it's done. They'll share with you the forecasts and scenarios they’re most excited about right now, and walk you through the key steps they took to create them. Then, it's your turn! You'll create a forecast and a scenario on any future topic you choose. How will you benefit from taking this course? With strong forecasting skills, you'll get better at seeing the future before it happens. You'll be ready to consider possibilities that others never see coming or refuse to accept. You'll be able to help others prepare for and adapt to the future. You can decide which futures you want to make more likely, and which futures you want to prevent. Many thanks to the Enlight Foundation and the Enlight Collaborative, which provided a grant to support the creation of this course.

Knowledge

Collect and Analyze SIGNALS OF CHANGE
Identify and Analyze GLOBAL DRIVERS OF CHANGE
Combine Signals and Drivers into FUTURE FORECASTS
Write SCENARIOS that tell a story about your FUTURE FORECAST

Outline

Introduction to Future Forecasting
Welcome the the course! Meet your professor Jane McGonigal
Strong Opinions, Lightly Held
What's a forecast?
Mini-Masterclass: Forecasting 101
Looking for Drivers
More Global Drivers
Driver Example: Blockchain!
How to Make a Quick Forecast on any Topic
Take our two-minute survey about the future!
Forecasting Skills Brief: Your "Cheat Sheet" for this course
Excerpt: Get There Early
Skills Refresher: Signals of Change
Examples of Drivers: The World in 2030
Blockchain Futures
The Coming Era of Autonomous Vehicles
Future Forecasting Essentials
Blockchain basics

How to Create a Future Forecast
Combining Signals and Drivers into a Forecast (Part 1)
Combining Signals and Drivers into a Forecast (Part 2)
How to Reveal Unexpected Possibilities (Part 1)
How to Reveal Unexpected Possibilities (Part 2)
Wired World: Forecasts for 2020 and beyond
TOOL: Reveal Unexpected Possibilities
Which forecast would impact you the most?

How to Write a Future Scenario
What's a scenario?
DEMO: Building a Scenario From Scratch
SCENARIO: The Future of Learning and Earning
The importance of ridiculous ideas
A Few More Scenarios to Play With
Signals of change behind the scenarios
Learning is Earning: Map of the Future
Scenarios from the Future of Technology (the Ethical Operating System)
The Future of Machines (3 Scenarios)
The Future of Machines

How to Update Your Forecasts
Revisiting a 10-Year Forecast... 10 Years Later!
Updating a Forecast
Congratulations on finishing this course!
Future of Money - A Forecast for 2021
Future of the Internet: A Forecast for 2021
Future of Households: A Forecast for 20201
Future of Social Media: A Forecast for 2021
An invitation to join our free Alumni Network

Summary of User Reviews

The Forecasting Skills course on Coursera has received positive reviews from users. Many found the course to be informative and well-structured, with engaging instructors who delivered material that was easy to understand.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The instructors were engaging and delivered material that was easy to understand.

Pros from User Reviews

The course is well-structured and informative.
The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging.
The course offers practical skills that can be applied in the workplace.
The course is suitable for all levels of experience with forecasting.

Cons from User Reviews

The course can be challenging for those without a strong background in statistics.
The course could benefit from more interactive exercises.
The course does not cover all aspects of forecasting, such as machine learning techniques.
The course may not be suitable for those interested in more advanced forecasting methods.

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