Auto Predict: Enhanced Configuration for Auto Predict and Ability to Generate Auto Predict Predictions for Dynamic Calc Members

Auto Predict is enhanced:

  • Configuring Auto Predict predictions is enhanced. Previously, Dynamic Calc members were not allowed as Source historical data, even when writing the prediction back to the Store member. With this enhancement, you can now select Dynamic Calc members as Source historical data for Auto Predict predictions.
  • You can now generate Auto Predict predictions for Dynamic Calc members. While predictions for Dynamic Calc members are supported without having to setup an Auto Predict job, this feature allows you to use Dynamic Calc members while setting up an Auto Predict job, which can be used to generate prediction insights and also allows it to be configured with Store members. 

Applies To: FreeForm, Planning and Budgeting

To define Auto Predict predictions for Dynamic Calc members: Include the Dynamic Calc members in the Auto Predict slice definition, as either the Historical Data slice or the Future Data slice.

The members must be in Scenario, Version, Plan Element or relevant dimensions associated with the UDA HSP_DYN_PREDICT.

Additionally, you can now select Dynamic Calc members as the POV in the Source. 

To view Auto Predict predictions for Dynamic Calc members when you load a form: Because predicted values can't be stored for Dynamic Calc members, you can specify to generate predictions at the parent level at run time and load the form with predicted values, by using a form option and by associating members in Scenario, Version, Plan Element or relevant dimensions associated with the UDA HSP_DYN_PREDICT. 

To specify whether to perform a prediction when the form loads: In the Form Designer, in the Prediction Options settings, select Prediction for Dynamic Calc. A validation confirms that the HSP_DYN_PREDICT UDA is associated with the members on the form.

Business Benefit: This enhancement allows you to perform Advanced Predictions at any level in the hierarchy. 

  • Generating predictions at the parent level improves accuracy, especially when data is missing or not accurate in lower levels of the hierarchy. 
  • Prediction accuracy is improved, because rather than predicted data getting aggregated at the parent level, the parent level is also predicted.
    For example, predicting for overall Operating Expenses might be better than predicting each of the expense categories under Operating Expenses such as Travel, Entertainment, and Staff Welfare, because the child member data could be sparse.
  • The enhanced configuration that allows you to select Dynamic Calc members as the POV in the Source supports cases where you want to predict using a parent member such as Total Plan in the Plan Element dimension, where the Base forecast and adjustments are both in Actuals. 

Steps to Enable

You don't need to do anything to enable this feature.

Tips And Considerations

  • This feature is supported only for Dynamic Calc members; it is not supported for Dynamic Calc and Store members.
  • Dynamic Calc parent level values can't be stored or exported.
  • You can use a Groovy script to allocate the Dynamic Calc parent-level predicted values to level zero members. 
  • Associate the UDA HSP_DYN_PREDICT only with Scenario/Version/Plan Element or similar dimension that is used to store predicted values.
  • Generating predictions for Dynamic Calc members is not supported in ad hoc grids.
  • When you generate predictions at run time and load a form with predicted values, the predictions for Dynamic Calc members always use the default prediction options for the form. Any modifications you make to the prediction options (in the prediction results area, click Settings) are not reflected in the predicted values for Dynamic Calc members when you load the form. 

Key Resources