The Billings Multi-Specialty Physician Group Practice is trying to forecast the number of patient visits it will have for the coming year. It has data from the previous 3 years to use for the...

The Billings Multi-Specialty Physician Group Practice is trying to forecast the number of patient visits it will have for the coming year. It has data from the previous 3 years to use for the forecast. (See Appendix 3-B to complete this problem.)

a. Create a graph of the historical data that demonstrates whether the volume contains a trend, a seasonal component, or both.

b. Develop a forecast for the next four quarters. Use whatever approach is appropriate given the pattern identified in the data.