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About Types of Forecasts

You can perform a number of different types of forecasts. Siebel Forecasting allows you to define summary depth, detail depth, or standard depth forecasts based on the level of information that managers and executives want to see about their subordinates' revenues in their forecasts. The type of forecast set up determines whether users' final adjustments must be completed in the Details view or the Summary view in the Forecasts screen. It also determines whether all subordinate line item details are visible to the manager or just the aggregate data. You can also define whether a forecast is a rollup, snapshot, or hybrid forecast.

About Detail, Summary, and Standard Forecast Types

A forecast can be detail depth, summary depth, or standard depth.

In a detail depth forecast, each revenue line item in the Details view in the Forecasts screen is rolled up through the reporting hierarchy. As a result, senior management has access to every forecast detail revenue item for their review. In this scenario, users need to make sure that adjustments are made in the Details view of the forecast. After adjusting the details, users must select Rollup to recalculate the modified forecast. To view the forecast details by periodic summary, use the Summary tab. Detail depth forecasts have a value of Revenue Detail in the Detail Depth field.

In a summary depth forecast, each record in the Summary view is rolled up to a user's direct manager. As a result, a manager can see the detailed line item records that they own and the summary records of direct subordinates from the Details view in the forecast. Users can adjust detail records and click Rollup to calculate the modified forecast. They can then further adjust those records from the Summary view. Summary depth forecasts have a value of Summary Only in the Detail Depth field.

In a standard depth forecast, the manager can see a detailed view of all subordinate forecasts, including a roll up of any adjustments made from the Summary view. In this scenario, managers and sales representatives can see all revenue records in the Detail view, and Summary records in the Summary view. However, they can make revenue adjustments in the Summary view only. Standard depth forecasts have a value of Standard in the Detail Depth field. 

For all forecast types (detail depth, summary depth, and standard depth), the Total Adjustment By Subordinate field displays a summation of the total revenue adjustments made by all subordinates in the forecast.

NOTE:  If an administrator selects a summary depth forecast, executives have less granularity of information for analysis, but performance is better.

About Rollup, Corporate Snapshot, and Hybrid Forecast Types

A rollup forecast is one that moves up through a hierarchy. It involves many participants and facilitates sales and forecast management. A personal forecast with details is an example of a rollup forecast. For more information, see Creating a Personal Forecast Series with Details.

A corporate snapshot allows you to avoid forecasting altogether. It provides you with an instant way of seeing your revenues over time. A global forecast is an example of a corporate snapshot. For more information, see Creating a Global Forecast Series.

A hybrid forecast allows you to have more than one visibility in one forecast and thus to combine a rollup and snapshot forecast, if appropriate. For example, one manager does not want the team to create individual forecasts, but another does. A hybrid forecast allows both managers to forecast their own way; snapshot and rollup, and still roll up to their VP. For more information, see Creating a Hybrid Forecast Series.