Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business
Lesson Topic: the impact of sales forecasting on business decisions
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe how sales forecasting influences production, finance, pricing, marketing, and strategic decisions.
  • Compare at least three forecasting methods and select the appropriate one based on data availability and decision context.
  • Apply the step‑by‑step forecasting process to generate a simple forecast and calculate forecast error.
  • Communicate forecast results, assumptions, and confidence intervals to decision‑makers.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Slide deck summarizing forecasting methods
  • Sample sales data worksheet (printed)
  • Calculator or spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel)
  • Whiteboard markers
  • Case‑study handout (Company XYZ)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “When you shop online, how often do you think the store guessed the right quantity?” This connects students’ experience to the need for accurate sales forecasts. Review prior knowledge of basic trends and then outline that by the end of the lesson they will be able to explain how forecasts shape key business decisions.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5'): Students write one example of a business decision that relies on sales forecasts and share briefly. (Engage)
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present why forecasting matters and overview of common methods using slides. (Knowledge)
  3. Group activity (15'): Using the sample worksheet, teams choose a method, calculate a simple linear‑trend forecast, and compute MAPE with provided actuals. (Application)
  4. Case‑study discussion (10'): Review the Company XYZ example, identifying how forecast adjustments impacted production and finance decisions. (Analysis)
  5. Communication role‑play (10'): Each group prepares a one‑minute presentation of their forecast, assumptions, and recommended business action. (Synthesis)
  6. Check for understanding (5'): Exit ticket – write one key takeaway about linking forecasts to business decisions. (Evaluation)
Conclusion:
Summarise how accurate forecasts underpin production planning, budgeting, pricing and strategic growth. Collect the exit tickets, and remind students to complete a short online quiz on forecasting methods for homework.