Abstract: A computer implemented method of generating a custom signal from a data library containing multiple datasets of variable values correlated with time and geography includes receiving a user defined target variable, a time parameter, and a geography parameter, determining the applicable datasets from the data library overlapping the user-defined time parameter or geography parameter, testing the control variables of the applicable datasets for statistical significance to the target variable, aggregating a custom signal of at least three control variables having the greatest statistical significance to the target variable. The method includes generating a forecasting model by determining an internal feature analysis, determining an optimal external feature analysis, and selecting an optimal feature set based on a statistical strength of the internal feature analysis and the optimal external feature analysis.