Is Forecastability a Real Thing?

Over the past 10 years, I’ve noticed a growing dialogue around the subject of forecastability. It seems to be one of the hot topics these days, and represents what some believe to be futuristic thinking—the next step-change advancement—in the field of demand planning. I recently attended the latest APICS/IBF Best of the Best S&OP conference where the topic surfaced again in side conversations and hallways. I have always been hesitant to comment in such moments, because I believe the exercise of understanding and learning about demand attributes is worthwhile regardless of whether or not I agree with the wisdom of a concept. For some reason, this time I came away with a different perspective—I wondered whether it was time to answer the question that has been on my mind for a while now: Is forecastability a real thing?