A Smart Bear · Jason Cohen
articleprincipleHow to measure the accuracy of forecasts
14 January 2024Profit
Source excerpt
About A Smart BearHow do you assess forecasts, when the forecast is only a probability? It's not just about accuracy. Let's dive into the math.
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Apollo layer
What a founder can learn
Founder takeaway
Evaluate probabilistic forecasts by whether the stated probabilities prove reliable over many comparable predictions, rather than judging each forecast as simply right or wrong.
Why it matters
Founders make decisions under uncertainty. Measuring forecast quality across repeated predictions helps teams distinguish sound judgment from luck and improve planning over time.
Relevant guides
Put it to work
Review a set of past forecasts grouped by probability—for example, all predictions assigned similar confidence—and ask whether outcomes occurred at roughly the expected rate. Use the gaps to adjust how your team expresses confidence.
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