Forecast Planning in SAP BW

Objective:

The objective of this document to provide an overview on the Auto Forecasting Using Planning Application (Integrated Planning).

Requirement Summary:

Perform Forecasting for future periods by selecting Historical data. The Forecast & Historical Data need to be executed based on dynamic selections(Variables).

System Details:

• SAP BW 7.4
• Analysis for Microsoft Excel

Data Flow:

 

Step 1:

Create a Data flow for Actual Data:

As per current scenario, a standard Info cube (Sales & Distribution Overview) used to store the actual data. The Cube is getting data from underlying DSO.

 

Step 2:

Create a Real Time Info cube:

Create a Real Time Info cube with the same structure of the standard Info cube by enabling property of Real Time.

 

Step 3:

Create a Multi provider:

Create a Multi provider by having Standard & Real Time Info cubes.

Step 4:

Create an Aggregation Level:

Create an Aggregation level for the sub set of Info objects which are required for your planning. Make sure to have only one Time Characteristic since the Forecast Planning Function need to execute only on one Time Characteristic.  In the below example the Calendar Month is used as Time Characteristic.

Step 5:

Create Planning Objects:

Planning Filter:

Create a Filter by having the required Object Selections and make sure the info provider selection should be Plan (Real Time) Info cube since the Forecast Planning will not able to extract data from Actual/Standard Info cube.

Planning Function:

Copy Planning Function:

Create a Copy Planning Function to copy actual data to Plan Info cube.

Forecast Planning Function:

Create a Forecast Planning Function with the variables to select Forecast / Historic Periods. Only the Time Characteristic which are available in aggregation level are allowed to select under Fields to be changed.

Create two variables with interval options to define Forecast and Historic Time frames.

The forecast Strategy Moving Average was selected for the current requirement. There are other Forecast Strategies also available and can be selected based on requirement.

Save the Planning Function.

Create Planning Sequence:

Crate a Planning Sequence by having Filter & Forecast Planning Function.

Step 6:

Create a BEx Query:

Create a BEx Query to compare the data for Historic Time frame data to the Forecast Time frame data after execution of Forecast process.

Step 7:

Create an Analysis For Office Report:

Create an AFO report by using Forecast Planning Function & BEx Query which was created.

Create a button group for

Prompt Variables – To enter Forecast and Historic Time frame selections

Forecast – To execute Forecast Planning Sequence

Rest Plan Data –  To reset the Plan data before Save

Save – To save Plan Data

 

Execution Process:

• Execute Copy Planning function & Save to copy entire Actual data to Plan (Real Time) info cube. This can be done by using process chain daily.
• Execute AFO report to perform Planning Activities.

 

Prompt Variables – Selected 01.2017 to 12.2017 as Reference Period and 01.2020 to 12.2020 as Forecast Period.

Forecast: Executed Forecast button to perform Forecast.

Since the forecast Strategy selected as an Average so the forecast Planning function consider historic time frame data total and distribute the average value to Forecast Time frame.

In this example the Historic Time frame total is 26537 for 12 Months so the average is 2211 for each month of forecast Time Frame. At the end the Historic & Forecast Time frame totals should match.

Save the Plan Data upon successful execution of Forecast Planning.

 

Note : The Same approach can be followed for S/4 HANA – Embedded BPC . The difference is to change the actual data flow by not storing the actual data  physically and make it virtual by using Virtual Info provider/ Advanced DSO (Plan Enabled) etc… . Composite Provider can be used instead of Multi provider.