Applies to Write-Back Server and Write-Back Cloud
Question
How to create a forecast with Write-Back applicable to a relative period?
Forecast is an important management process and every main process on in an organization tend tends to be based on some prediction to support them. When doing forecasting we typically want to focus on the periods that really matter, and this means for instance filling the forecast for the upcoming 12 months or 4 quarters. This is a sliding window forecast in the sense that the forecasting months or quarters are relative to the current date while keeping a consistent lenghtlength.
Answer
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The attached workbook has the full solution implemented and is using Writeusing Write-Back public demo environment, for more information on using it check our Public Demo instruction page.
Related Links & Attachments
Forecasting Write-Back Configuration Connecting to the Dataset Sliding Window Forecast.twbx
Step 1: Create an Anchor Worksheet
As with all Write-Back configurations, it is necessary to create a visualization that will be used as a source for data submission. This source visualization must contain a time dimension. As it is a sliding window forecast, where it is possible to have several configuration versions, it is imperative that the visualization contains every month.
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Step 2: Set Up Write-Back for Forecast Configuration
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After selecting the .trex file, you need to change the interface to tabular mode. This change will allow you to associate a value to each month, in this case, a year. The Next step is to create the Input Fields. You need to create a Input Field that will allow you to specify which year the month (month) belongs to (year). Additionally, create a field that allows you to identify the version of the configuration (version).
Your configuration should look like this:
Month on Columns
Year on Rows
Version on the Main Form
One Source Field on Configure Fields
Step 3: Submit Forecast Configuration
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With the date field created, build a view similar to the following:
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Step 5: Set Up Write-Back for Forecast Submission
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Drag a new extension instance to the dashboard pane. Change the UI to tabular view and create two Input Fields, being "Sales Forecast" one of them. Make sure that you include the Version field in the form as well, as this is the field that identifies a forecast configuration.
Your configuration should look like this:
Year and Month on Columns
Sales Forecast on Rows
One Input Field on the Main Form - e.g. Comments
Version on Configure Fields
Step 6: Submit Forecast
After you choose the forecast configuration that suits your needs, it's time to fill it up with forecast values. To do that select one mark on the Forecast Configuration view and click on Submit Forecast.
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You need to create a new connection to the database in order to access the data. After blending the data, you will have a visualization similar to this:
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Step 8: Create a Version Comparison View
Sometimes adjustments need to be made and this will end up having some influence on the forecast. A good way to assess these impacts is by comparing forecast versions.
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