Build reliable financial forecasts and evaluate capital investments using time series methods, regression, discounted cash flow, cost of capital and risk analysis.
Forecast Techniques and Capital Budgeting brings together two closely linked skills: predicting future financial outcomes and deciding which long-term investments to make. The forecasting part covers qualitative judgement, moving averages, exponential smoothing, seasonality and regression, along with ways to measure forecast accuracy. The capital budgeting part covers relevant cash flows, the time value of money, NPV, IRR, MIRR, payback and profitability index, estimating the weighted average cost of capital, and handling risk through sensitivity, scenario and simulation analysis.
Participants build forecasting and investment appraisal models in Excel from the first day. Exercises include forecasting monthly sales with seasonal patterns, comparing forecast methods against actual results and appraising a capital project with competing alternatives and capital constraints. Discussion covers the behavioral side of forecasting, such as optimism bias, and how to present investment recommendations to decision-makers. The course can be delivered as an in-house program using an organization's own historical data and investment proposal templates.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Select appropriate quantitative and qualitative forecasting methods for different situations
Apply moving averages, exponential smoothing and regression to financial data
Measure and improve forecast accuracy using error metrics
Identify relevant cash flows for capital investment decisions
Evaluate projects using NPV, IRR, MIRR, payback and profitability index
Estimate the cost of capital and incorporate risk through sensitivity and scenarios
This course is aimed at professionals who prepare forecasts or evaluate investment proposals.
Financial analysts and FP&A professionals
Management accountants and finance managers
Corporate development and strategy staff
Project sponsors preparing capital requests
Treasury and investment staff
The role of forecasts in planning and decisions
Qualitative methods and expert judgement
Identifying trend, seasonality and cycles
Common forecasting biases
Moving averages and exponential smoothing
Seasonal indices and decomposition
Simple and multiple regression
Forecast accuracy measures such as MAPE
Relevant, incremental and sunk costs
Time value of money and discounting
NPV, IRR, MIRR and profitability index
Payback and discounted payback
Cost of equity using CAPM
Cost of debt and capital structure
Calculating WACC
Project-specific discount rates
Sensitivity and break-even analysis
Scenario analysis and Monte Carlo simulation
Capital rationing and mutually exclusive projects
Post-investment review and presenting recommendations
Qatar's public and private sectors make substantial long-term investments in infrastructure, energy, industry, healthcare and tourism. Sound forecasting and rigorous capital budgeting help ensure these resources are directed to projects that deliver lasting value. As the economy diversifies and organizations face changing market conditions, decision-makers need credible forecasts and clear investment cases. These skills support the prudent economic management and sustainable growth set out in Qatar National Vision 2030.
Join a scheduled class at our training center in Doha or attend live online. For organizations, the course can run as an in-house program at your premises or online, tailored to your sector, case studies and timetable.
It is a practical course that teaches quantitative and qualitative forecasting methods alongside capital investment appraisal. Learners build Excel models to forecast results and evaluate projects using NPV, IRR, the cost of capital and risk analysis.
It suits financial analysts, FP&A professionals, management accountants, finance managers, strategy and corporate development staff, treasury staff and project sponsors who prepare capital investment requests.
You should be comfortable with Excel formulas and basic arithmetic. Statistical techniques such as regression and simulation are explained from first principles, with templates provided so the focus stays on interpretation.
Yes. It can be delivered at your premises or online and tailored to your sector, historical data, investment approval process and schedule. Contact Leaders Training Center to plan an in-house program.
Tell us a little about yourself and an advisor will contact you about batch timings, fees and eligibility. No obligation.
Sat–Thu: 09:00–22:00Fri: 08:00–22:00
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