In reply to Pat Hennel.

Agreed, the forecast should be an "unbiased best guess at what is really going to happen." The person generating the forecast should provide a range that, to the best of their ability, truly represents the uncertainty. A range (or better yet, a probability distribution of forecast values) should be seen as a blessing by management -- this additional information (beyond just the point forecast) can help them make better decisions. But of course, as Paul Goodwin points out, management may not find the range acceptable (they want CERTAINTY about the future).