# Forecasting initiatives

Initiative forecast allows you to estimate initiative length based on three metrics:

* **Scope** - How many issues are there in an initiative
* **Cycle time** - The average issue cycle time
* **Effort** - The average number of issues in progress

The estimates calculations are based on direct child issues, usually epics, not on their subtasks.

You can adjust the values for these three components to estimate how the target date will change if you, e.g., add or subtract epics or increase the initiative's effort.

### **Setup forecasts for an initiative**

1. Navigate to [Initiatives](https://app.swarmia.com/initiatives)
2. Choose an initiative and get to the initiative’s details
3. Click **Create forecast** on the *Progress* chart
4. The Initiative Forecast form has three pre-calculated parameters. If necessary, adjust them according to the actual state or play around to see the effect on the projection.
5. Select **Save forecast to initiative**

<figure><img src="/files/y1u45OH0bRaM15IYebtP" alt="Swarmia - Initiative progress chart" width="563"><figcaption><p>Progress chart</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/GTgvJit6iblFvMpQ09sd" alt="Swarmia - Initiative forecast workflow" width="563"><figcaption><p>Forecast creation</p></figcaption></figure>


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