Using Activity-Based Management Trend and Variance Analysis

Activity-Based Management features two tools enabling you to analyze you model results:

Activity-Based Management Trend Analysis.
Activity-Based Management Variance Analysis.

Understanding Activity-Based Management Trend Analysis

Activity-Based Management Trend Analysis enables you to compare trend results from any Activity-Based Management scenario over a specified time frame. Using this feature you can:

Specify the model criteria to use for the comparison.
Specify the scenario and the number of periods you want to include in the trend analysis.
Display Activity-Based Management trees using tree control functionality for the specified model.
Drill through the tree using the tree control or a gird.
View details of the Activity-Based Management model in a chart and grid format.

Understanding Activity-Based Management Variance Analysis

Activity-Based Management Variance Analysis enables you to compare results between:

Two different models from the same or different periods.
Two different time periods for the same model.
The actual, budget, and calculated fields for the same model and time period.
The actual, budget, and calculated fields for a different model and time period.

As with Activity-Based Management Trend Analysis, you can:

Specify the model criteria to use for the comparison.
Display Activity-Based Management trees using tree control functionality for the specified model.
Drill through the model using the tree control or via the grid.
View details for the variance results in chart and grid format.

Pages Used to View Trend and Variance Data

Page Name	Definition Name	Navigation	Usage
Trend Analysis selection criteria	AB_TREND_SRCH	select Activity Based Management Analysis, then select Trend Analysis	Enter search criteria for the scenario and periods you want to analyze.
Trend Analysis	AB_TREND_MAIN	Click the Do analysis link on the Trend Analysis selection criteria page.	View the trend data based on the selection criteria and drill down into greater detail.
Variance Analysis selection criteria	AB_VAR_SEL_PAGE	select Activity Based Management Analysis, then select Variance Analysis	Enter search criteria for the models, periods, and calculation types you want to compare using this tool.
Variance Analysis	AB_VAR_MAIN_PAGE	Click the Do analysis link on the Variance Analysis selection criteria page.	View the variance data based on the selection criteria and drill down into greater detail.

Using the Trend Analysis and Variance Analysis Components

The Trend Analysis and Variance Analysis components are very similar in their structure and behavior.

Entering Selection Criteria

When you first access the components you enter selection criteria to specify which scenario, model, or combination of both, to compare. These pages vary slightly and are described later in this section.

Trend Analysis and Variance Analysis Data Display

Once you have entered your search criteria, select the Do analysis to transfer to the main Trend Analysis or Variance Analysis report page. Each of these pages is laid out as follows.

On the top left is the tree control. This is based on the tree specified in your search criteria (resource, activity, or cost object).
To the right of the tree control is a chart display of the results based on the criteria you entered. Above the chart, a summary of your selection criteria displays.
Below the chart is a grid listing objects based on your selection criteria.

Using the Tree Control

You can use the tree control to drill down through the model. Simply expand or collapse the tree and select any node to navigate to different information. The chart and grid display change based on your selection. The tree displayed is the tree attached to the object type you specify in your selection criteria.

Using the Grid

You can also use the grid at the bottom of the pages to drill down through the model. Select any of the objects listed to drill down a level. For example, if you select a cost object, you will drill down to view the activities for that cost object. The chart display and grid display change based on your selection.

Trend Analysis Selection Criteria Page

Use the Trend Analysis selection criteria page (AB_TREND_SRCH) to enter search criteria for the scenario and periods you want to analyze.

Navigation

select Activity Based Management Analysis, then select Trend Analysis

To analyze trend data:

Enter the Number of Periods to Trend. The system will analyze the trend data over this number of periods, enabling you to compare two or many periods.
Specify the Object Type to use as the starting point for the analysis: Activity, Cost Obj. (cost object), or Resource.
The Tree Name for the object type you select displays.

Note: You must select an object type that has an attached tree in order to perform a trend analysis.
Click the Do analysis link to view the data returned based on your selection criteria.
You can also reset your scenario selection by clicking the Select new base link.

Trend Analysis Page

Use the Trend Analysis page (AB_TREND_MAIN) to view the trend data based on the selection criteria and drill down into greater detail.

Navigation

Click the Do analysis link on the Trend Analysis selection criteria page.

Image: Trend Analysis page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Trend Analysis page.

The grid display has the following columns:

Object Type

The objects currently selected from the tree control or the grid.

Object Description

Links that you can use to drill down to linked objects. For example, clicking a cost object description enables you to drill down to view the activities that drive that cost object.

fiscal year-period (such as 1998-12)

These columns display the amount values for the fiscal year and periods specified in your search criteria. For example, if you chose to run the trend analysis over three periods, four columns display the base column followed by the next three periods. You can directly and easily compare the values in each column and drill down to get more detail.

The chart displays the column amount data in graphic form enabling you to view the trend for the data. The chart display changes based on the objects you're viewing.

To change your selection criteria or enter new criteria, click the Choose scenario link to return to the Trend Analysis selection criteria page.

Variance Analysis Selection Criteria Page

Use the Variance Analysis selection criteria page (AB_VAR_SEL_PAGE) to enter search criteria for the models, periods, and calculation types you want to compare using this tool.

Navigation

select Activity Based Management Analysis, then select Variance Analysis

Image: Variance Analysis selection criteria page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Variance Analysis selection criteria page.

To analyze variance data:

The Base Scenario fields display the settings you selected for opening this page. You can change the Calculation Column to include a different calculation type in your analysis: Actuals, Budgeted, or Calculated.
In the Compare Scenario column, select the Scenario ID of the model you want to use for the comparison. This can either be the same scenario if you want to compare a different fiscal year and period, or a different calculation type, or an entirely different scenario.

If you are comparing the model amounts, for example (such as actuals versus budgeted, actuals versus calculated, or budgeted versus calculated) specify these settings in the Calculation Column drop-down list box.
In the Select Base Scenario Tree group box, specify the Object Type that you want to use as the starting point for the analysis: Activity, Cost Obj.(cost object), or Resource. The Tree Name for the object type you select automatically displays.

Note: You must select an object type that has an attached tree in order to perform a variance analysis.
Click the Do analysis link to view the data based on your selection criteria.
You can also reset your scenario selection by clicking the Select new base link.

Variance Analysis Page

Use the Variance Analysis page (AB_VAR_MAIN_PAGE) to view the variance data based on the selection criteria and drill down into greater detail.

Navigation

Click the Do analysis link on the Variance Analysis selection criteria page.

Image: Variance Analysis page

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Variance Analysis page.

The Object Type column displays the objects currently selected using the tree control or grid. The Object Description column displays descriptions of the objects as links that you can use to drill down to linked objects. For example, clicking on a cost object description enables you to drill down to view the activities that drive this cost object.

For each object listed, the grid displays the Base Amount and the Compare Amount. It also displays the Total Variance as both an amount and a percentage, and you can also view the Base Volume and the Compare Volume.

Click the Spending/Volume Variances tab to view the Spending Variance and Volume Variance both as an amount and percentage.

The following formulas are used to calculate the variance amounts:

Variance Amount	Formula
Total variance	base amount � compare amount
Percent total variance to base	(total variance / base amount) * 100
Volume variance	(base volume � compare volume) * (base amount / base volume)
Percent volume variance to base	(spending variance / base amount) * 100
Spending variance	((base amount / base volume) � (compare amount / compare volume)) * compare volume
Percent spending variance to base	(volume variance / base amount) * 100

The chart displays the grid data in graphic form enabling you to view the variance for the data.

To change your selection criteria or enter new criteria, click the Choose scenario link to return to the Variance Analysis selection criteria page.