A Multistrategy Learning System to Support Predictive Decision Making

The prediction of future demand is a vital task in managing business operations. To this end, traditional approaches often focused on statistical techniques such as exponential smoothing and moving average. The need for better accuracy has led to nonlinear techniques such as neural networks and case based reasoning. In addition, experimental design techniques such as orthogonal arrays may be used to assist in the formulation of an effective methodology. This paper investigates a multistrategy approach involving neural nets, case based reasoning, and orthogonal arrays. Neural nets and case based reasoning are employed both separately and in combination, while orthoarrays are used to determine the best architecture for each approach. The comparative evaluation is performed in the context of an application relating to the prediction of Treasury notes.