Business forecasting using predictive metadata

Abstract

A business forecasting tool utilizing metadata is provided. A processor receives one or more sets of business metrics. A processor receives a first metadata descriptor for a first set of business metrics of the one or more sets of business metrics. A processor receives a second metadata descriptor for a second set of business metrics of the one or more sets of business metrics. A processor prepares the first set of business metrics for prediction of a third set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the first metadata descriptor, where the first set and third set each correspond to a different time period. A processor generates a fourth set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the second metadata descriptor, where the second set and fourth set each correspond to a different time period.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product for business forecasting, the computer program product comprising:
 one or more computer-readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media, the program instructions comprising:
 program instructions to receive one or more sets of business metrics, wherein at least one of the one or more sets of business metrics comprises a set of recorded events; 
 program instructions to receive a first metadata descriptor for a first set of business metrics of the one or more sets of business metrics; 
 program instructions to receive a second metadata descriptor for a second set of business metrics of the one or more sets of business metrics; 
 program instructions to prepare the first set of business metrics for prediction of a third set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the first metadata descriptor, 
   wherein the first set and third set each correspond to a different time period; and
 program instructions to generate a fourth set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the second metadata descriptor, wherein the second set and fourth set each correspond to a different time period. 
   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the first metadata descriptor indicates that the first set of business metrics has a non-predetermined trend. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the second metadata descriptor indicates that the second set of business metrics has a predetermined trend. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 9 , wherein the program instructions to prepare the first set of business metrics for prediction further comprise:
 program instructions to request a prediction of the first set of business metrics for the time period corresponding to the third set of business metrics.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein program instructions to generate the fourth set of business metrics further comprise:
 program instructions to determine at least one value of the fourth set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the predetermined trend.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , the program instructions further comprising:
 program instructions to present a report including at least the first set and second set of business metrics, wherein a time period of the first set overlaps the time period of the second set.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the report selectively includes the third set and fourth set of business metrics based on a configuration of the report. 
     
     
         15 . A computer system for business forecasting, the computer system comprising:
 one or more computer processors;   one or more computer readable storage media;   program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructions comprising:
 program instructions to receive one or more sets of business metrics, wherein at least one of the one or more sets of business metrics comprises a set of recorded events; 
 program instructions to receive a first metadata descriptor for a first set of business metrics of the one or more sets of business metrics; 
 program instructions to receive a second metadata descriptor for a second set of business metrics of the one or more sets of business metrics; 
 program instructions to prepare the first set of business metrics for prediction of a third set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the first metadata descriptor, 
   wherein the first set and third set each correspond to a different time period; and
 program instructions to generate a fourth set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the second metadata descriptor, wherein the second set and fourth set each correspond to a different time period. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first metadata descriptor indicates that the first set of business metrics has a non-predetermined trend. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second metadata descriptor indicates that the second set of business metrics has a predetermined trend. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein program instructions to prepare the first set of business metrics for prediction further comprise:
 program instructions to request a prediction of the first set of business metrics for the time period corresponding to the third set of business metrics.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein program instructions to generate the fourth set of business metrics further comprise:
 program instructions to determine at least one value of the fourth set of business metrics based on, at least in part, the predetermined trend.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , the program instructions further comprising:
 program instructions to present a report including at least the first set and second set of business metrics, wherein a time period of the first set overlaps the time period of the second set.