DATA4400: Data-driven Forecast Techniques

Learn the fundamentals of data analysis, statistical methods, and visualization techniques to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets.

01

Data-driven Decisions and Subjective Methods

January 10 - January 16, 2025

Welcome to the first week of DATA4400! This week we'll explore the fundamentals of data analysis and get familiar with the key concepts and tools we'll use throughout the course.

Course Syllabus

Detailed overview of course objectives, grading policy, and expectations.

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Lecture Slides

Introduction to data analysis concepts and methodology.

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In-class Exercise #1

Answer the questions in the exercise.

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Pen-and-Paper Exercises #2

Understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative forecasting

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02

Forecasting Techniques: Regression Models

January 17 - January 23, 2025

This week we'll explore linear regression for forecasting and trend analysis techniques.

Lecture Slides

Linear regression for forecasting and trend analysis.

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Regression Exercise

Practice linear regression forecasting techniques.

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Week 2 Quiz

Test your understanding of regression forecasting.

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03

Forecasting: Smoothing, Seasonals, and Prophet

January 24 - January 30, 2025

This week we learn about Moving Average, Time-series decomposition and Prophet

Lecture Slides

Get my slide here

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Illustration of Moving average

Understand how MA works with my interactive format

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Illustration of Time-series decomposition

Additive and Multiplicative Decomposition.

Watch Recording

Notebook exercise

Colab Tutorial?

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05

Assessment 1: In-Class Group Assessment

January 31 - February 6, 2025

This week focuses on Assessment 1 with group presentations and data analysis.

Assessment Instruction

In-class instructions for Assessment 1: groups, tools, models (weeks 1–4), handouts, presentation style, submission, and timing.

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Group Presentation Guidelines

Instructions and requirements for the group assessment.

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Individual Report Template

Template for the individual Prophet model analysis report.

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Presentation Schedule

Schedule for group presentations during class.

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Assessment FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Assessment 1.

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04

Exponential Smoothing and Holt-Winters Method

April 14th, 2025

This week we learn about Exponential Smoothing and Holt-Winter

Lecture Slides

Get my slide here

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Notebook exercise

Understand how ES works with my interactive format

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Dataset

Time series dataset.

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Illustration of Prophet

How is prophet working?

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06

Advanced Forecasting: Stationarity and ARMA Models

February 14 - February 20, 2025

This week we'll explore time series stationarity, correlogram analysis, and ARMA modeling.

Lecture Slides

Stationarity, correlogram analysis, and ARMA models.

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Stationarity Exercise

Practice identifying and testing for stationarity.

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ARMA Model Workshop

Interactive workshop on ARMA model identification and fitting.

Start Workshop

Week 6 Quiz

Test your understanding of stationarity and ARMA models.

Take Quiz
07

ARIMA and SARIMA Models

April 28th, 2025

This week we learn about ARIMA, SARIMA

Lecture Slides for AR, MA

Slides for AR, MA

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Lecture Slides for ARIMA, SARIMA

Get my slide here

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Illustration of ARIMA,SARIMA

Understand how ES works with my interactive format

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Quiz time

How is prophet working?

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08

VAR Models, Granger Causality, External Predictors

February 28 - March 6, 2025

This week we'll explore vector autoregression models and causal relationships in time series.

Lecture Slides

VAR models, Granger causality, and external predictors.

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VAR Model Exercise

Practice building and interpreting VAR models.

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Causality Analysis Workshop

Interactive workshop on Granger causality testing.

Start Workshop

Week 8 Quiz

Test your understanding of VAR models and causality.

Take Quiz
09

Analytics Case Studies + Assessment 2

March 7 - March 13, 2025

This week focuses on real-world applications and Assessment 2 completion.

Lecture Slides

Analytics case studies and real-world applications.

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Quiz

Multiple choice computerized quiz on forecasting techniques.

Take Quiz

Assessment 3: Instructions

How to write Assessment 3.

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Case Study Analysis

Real-world forecasting case studies and applications.

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10

Forecasting vs Prediction; Multiple Regression & Recommender

March 14 - March 20, 2025

This week we'll distinguish between forecasting and prediction, and explore recommender systems.

Lecture Slides

Forecasting vs prediction, multiple regression, and recommender systems.

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Quiz

Practice problem identification for forecasting applications.

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Workshop Dataset

Interactive workshop on building recommender systems.

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Sample Business Report 1

A demo report in Turkish BA report.

Take Quiz

Sample Business Report 2

A demo report in Telstra BA report.

Take Quiz
11

Revision Week

May 26th, 2025

This week we learn about Bayes Theorem

Lecture Slides

Get my slide here

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Data Resources

Get your dataset here

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Dataset

Retail Coffee dataset

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Assessment 3

Key requirements

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12

Assessment 3: Individual Presentations

March 28 - April 3, 2025

This week focuses on Assessment 3 with individual presentations and final project submission.

Presentation Guidelines

Instructions and requirements for individual presentations.

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Project Report Template

Template for the comprehensive forecasting analysis report.

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Presentation Schedule

Schedule for individual presentations during class.

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Assessment Guidance

Guidance about Assessment 3.

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