Forecasting and its Beneficiaries

This chapter addresses the question of who benefits from forecasting, using ’Forecasting for Social Good’ as a motivating framework. Barriers to broadening the base of beneficiaries are identified, and some parallels are drawn with similar concerns that were expressed in the Operational Research literature some years ago. A recent initiative, called ‘Democratising Forecasting’, is discussed, highlighting its achievements, challenges, limitations and future agenda. Communication issues between the major forecasting stakeholders are also examined, with pointers being given for more effective communications, in order to gain the greatest benefits.

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