Using Financial Forecast
Financial forecasts are crucial for businesses to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and measure performance. They are typically based on historical data, which can make it challenging to predict sudden changes in market conditions or business operations. To mitigate financial risk, managers can employ strategies such as avoidance, reduction, transference, and acceptance, as well as possibly changing course to avoid risk, minimize the impact of risk, transfer risk to another party, or accept the risk as part of doing business. In this Discussion you will consider various forecasting methods and how to mitigate financial risk for a hospital planning to make a significant capital investment.
Consider the following scenario:
A U.S. medical center in a city with 100,000 residents has planned a significant capital investment in a new state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization unit (CCU) and needs to forecast its financial performance for the next fiscal year. Through a close friend of the hospital’s COO, the Director of the Health Facility Licensing Unit at the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) expedited the authorization of the approval. Another hospital in the city has been performing 600 cardiac catheterizations yearly. The demand for the life-saving procedure is forecasted to increase by 5% a year in the city.
To prepare for this Discussion:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources.
- Consider the financial forecasting methods that might be used in the scenario as well as any ethical implications of these methods.
- Additionally, consider how these financial forecasts might influence the hospital’s decision-making process.
Post a summary of how the organization could mitigate financial risks based on financial forecasting methods and ethical financial practices, to include the following:
- Identify (and briefly explain) at least two different financial forecasting methods that could be used in this scenario.
- Explain the pros and cons of each method and how each could impact the hospital’s strategic planning.
- Summarize the ethical implications of these financial methods, being sure to address the following:
- How might these projections influence the hospital’s decision-making process, and what ethical considerations should be considered?