What is Forecast Lock?
A forecast lock draws a line: after this point, the committed number is on the record and cannot be silently changed.
Without a lock, forecasts can be revised retroactively, which makes accuracy tracking meaningless because there is no fixed baseline to compare against.
Short answer
A forecast lock is the moment in a forecasting cycle when submitted forecasts are frozen and recorded, usually at a set point each period. Locking creates an accountable baseline: the number on record cannot be quietly revised later, so actual results can be measured against what was actually committed. It underpins honest accuracy tracking and prevents after-the-fact forecast editing.
Key takeaways
- Freezing submitted forecasts at a set point.
- Creates an accountable baseline.
- Prevents after-the-fact editing.
- Enables honest accuracy tracking.
Why it matters
Accuracy can only be measured against a fixed commitment. A forecast lock preserves what was actually committed, so the team learns from real variance rather than a number that was quietly adjusted to look good.
How Ardovo handles it
Ardovo locks forecast submissions at each cycle and preserves the record, so Rook can measure actual results against what was genuinely committed and report accuracy that cannot be gamed by later edits.
Frequently asked questions
What is a forecast lock?
It is the point in a period when submitted forecasts are frozen and recorded, creating an accountable baseline. Once locked, the committed number cannot be quietly revised, so actual results can be measured against what was actually committed.
Why lock a forecast?
Because accuracy can only be measured against a fixed commitment. Without a lock, forecasts can be edited after the fact, making accuracy tracking meaningless. Locking preserves the real baseline so the team learns from genuine variance.
When should a forecast be locked?
At a consistent point in each cycle, often the weekly submission deadline or a set date in the period. The exact timing matters less than doing it consistently so every period has a comparable, accountable baseline.