What metric should be part of every forecast regardless of the facility type?

The metric that should be part of every forecast, regardless of the facility type, is the cost of goods sold. This figure is crucial because it directly impacts the overall profitability and financial health of an organization. Understanding the cost of goods sold allows businesses to evaluate how much they spend on producing or acquiring the products they sell, enabling more accurate pricing strategies and inventory management.

In forecasting, incorporating the cost of goods sold helps in assessing how sales levels will affect overall profitability and informs decisions around production and purchasing. This metric provides essential insights for operational efficiency, pricing strategies, and helps project how changes in sales can directly influence profit margins.

While the other options are valuable metrics, they may not have the same universal application across different facility types. For instance, the number of staff might vary significantly based on the nature of the facility, operational expenses can fluctuate based on various external and internal factors, and market trends may be more relevant to specific industries rather than being a general requirement for every forecast. Hence, prioritizing the cost of goods sold aligns closely with the fundamental aspects of financial forecasting for various facility types.