Vertex Forecasting and Time Series in Practice (VFTSP)

Module 01 - Course Introduction

Topics: This module addresses the reasons to build a forecasting solution on Google Cloud and introduces the learning objectives.

Objectives:

• Identify the reasons to learn Vertex AI Forecasting from Google.
• Learn the course objectives

Module 02 - Time Series and Forecasting Fundamentals

Topics: This module provides a theoretical foundation of types of sequence models, time series patterns and analysis, and forecasting notations.

Objectives:

• Identify the different types of sequence models.
• Identify the different patterns and analysis methods of time series.
• Describe the primary notations of forecasting.

Module 03 - Forecasting Options on Google Cloud

Topics: This module introduces two major options to build a forecasting solution on Google Cloud: BigQuery ML and Vertex AI Forecast (AutoML). It also investigates the unique features of Vertex AI Forecast and explores an end-to-end workflow with AutoML.

Objectives:

• Identify the options to develop forecasting models on Google Cloud.
• Describe Vertex AI and its benefits.
• Explore the workflow to build a forecasting model by using Vertex AI.

Module 04 - Data Preparation

Topics: This module explores the transformation of original data to the data types and format supported by Vertex AI. It also introduces the different types of features in time series and the best practices for data ingestion.

Objectives:

• Prepare the input data to fit the requirements of Vertex AI Forecasting.
• Demonstrate different types of features.
• Describe the best practices for the data ingestion stage

Module 05 - Model Training

Topics: This module walks learners through the model training and demonstrates the configuration details such as the setup of context window, forecast horizon, and optimization objective.

Objectives:

• Configure model training.
• Select the appropriate training optimization objective.

Module 06 - Model Evaluation

Topics: This module describes the training data split, demonstrates the evaluation metrics, and recommends the approaches to improve the model performance.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate training data split in time series forecasting.
• Describe evaluation metrics.
• Design the approach to improve the performance.

Module 07 - Model Deployment

Topics: This module demonstrates model prediction, specifically the batch prediction with Vertex AI Forecast. It also explores machine learning operations (MLOps) and the transition from development to production.

Objectives:

• Deploy the forecasting model.
• Describe Vertex AI Pipelines and MLOps
• Use batch predictions to generate model forecasts.

Module 08 - Model Monitoring

Topics: This module describes model drift and the approach of model retraining. It also demonstrates the automation of the forecasting workflow by using Vertex AI Pipelines

Objectives:

• Describe model drift.
• Demonstrate model retraining.
• Use Vertex AI Pipelines and prebuilt (SDKs) to automate the forecasting workflow

Module 09 - Vertex Forecasting in Retail

Topics: This module describes a use case to build a forecasting solution with Vertex AI Forecast in a retail store. It demonstrates the steps and considerations, walks through a pilot study with two different datasets, and discusses the challenges and lessons.

Objectives:

• Describe the steps and considerations of building a forecasting solution in retail.
• Demonstrate the model development with different datasets.
• Identify the challenges and the lessons of developing a forecasting model in retail.

Module 10 - Course Summary

Topics: This model addresses the main features of Vertex AI Forecast and summarizes the main topics of each module.

Objectives: Summarize the steps to build a forecasting model with Vertex AI.