A what-if analysis involves changing measure values in a planning worksheet and recalculating key metrics, key assumptions, and other measures for the workbook. Analysis owners and participants can change measure values in a scenario’s planning workbook when the scenario is in the In Progress state. Approvers cannot change data.
Measure values are loaded or input into the Integrated Operational Planning database, and therefore into planning worksheets, at a particular level in each dimension hierarchy. Values at higher levels in a hierarchy are generally obtained by summation. The level at which values are loaded is the leaf (lowest) level. For example, if monthly values are loaded, the leaf level in the Time dimension hierarchy is Months. Yearly values are then obtained by summation.
After changing a measure value, you recalculate key metrics, key assumptions, and other measures in the planning workbook. The worksheet display is updated, and you drill up or down in the data to view recalculated values. If a data change violates a predefined constraint and introduces an exception, the worksheet cell where the exception occurs is highlighted in red. Data changes in one worksheet can affect other worksheets. For example, a data change in one worksheet can introduce an exception in another worksheet.
During analysis, the analysis owner and participants can add text comments to worksheet cells to inform other participants about data changes and to obtain feedback. A red triangle in the upper right corner of a worksheet cell indicates comments.
Some measures include descriptions or details on how the measure value is calculated. You can also view in-line reports for some measures that show transaction-level or component-level details; for example, purchase order details.