Planning

Planning capabilities are among the most important in performance management. Every company struggles in this area. There are a few basic reasons why planning is so painful.

• Plans are often spread across uncontrolled spreadsheet files
• Planning is time consuming and non-productive
• Problematic coordination of work and limited collaboration
• High risk of incorrect outputs and calculations
• Limited alignment of partial plans

The main problems can be eliminated by planning solution. Best planning solutions can bring unprecedented capabilities

• Multidimensional planning models which can cover complex business structures
• Centralized planning models and planning data
• Online collaboration through web browser or Excel
• Consistency and integrity of plans
• Combination of top-down and bottom-up planning
• Versioning, creation and reviewing of comments
• Management of planning workflow

Moreover, the full potential of additional business functions can be employed

• What-if scenarios help to test planning assumptions
• Driver based planning by modelling through key business parameters
• Delta planning where new scenarios can be deducted by adjustment of key business drivers
• Rolling forecasting for continual learning about ongoing performance
• Year-to-go projections for update of outlook for remaining part of year
• Planning targets of key performance indicators (KPIs)and modelling of strategic initiatives

Planning solution is not only a domain of finance. It is applicable across a company for many purposes such as

• Breaking down sales plans by products
• Setting targets for sales teams based on company objectives
• Planning of personnel costs and calculation of performance related bonuses
• Allocation of costs by drivers and price calculations
• Managed collections of regular or adhoc inputs through the internet or extranet

Should you require further information or a free assessment and solution concept contact us.