Exploring SAP Analytics Cloud (SACE 11): Describing Planning Features

 

🎯 Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Describe the planning features of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)

• Perform manual input planning tasks

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🧠 What is Planning in SAP Analytics Cloud?

Planning in SAC is about:

• Setting strategic goals

• Building budgets and forecasts

• Simulating scenarios

• Projecting Actuals into the future

• Collaborating across departments

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🔧 Key Planning Features in SAC

Feature	Purpose
Data Entry	Enter or adjust values in tables manually
Version Management	Create and manage versions (e.g., Forecast, Budget, Actual)
Data Locking	Lock cells to prevent unauthorized changes
Data Actions	Automate calculations, copy-paste actions, allocations
Validation Rules	Prevent invalid data entry (based on dimension rules)
Value Driver Trees	Visualize how changes impact KPIs through simulation
Structured Allocations	Define rules for cost distribution (e.g., by department or product line)

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🧩 Feature Details

✅ Data Entry

• Enter values directly into table cells.

• Use relative inputs (+500, *2, etc.).

• Unsaved changes are highlighted (yellow).

• Supports top-down planning (value disaggregates to children).

✅ Version Management

• Work with public or private versions.

• Undo/redo changes.

• Analyze variance between versions.

• Publish private versions once finalized.

✅ Data Locking

• Lock parts of the model to prevent edits.

• Assign ownership for decentralized control.

• Schedule locks using the Calendar.

✅ Data Actions

• Automate tasks like:

  • Copying data across models

  • Allocating values

  • Running advanced formulas

• Use parameters and chaining.

• Schedule or execute from stories.

✅ Validation Rules

• Ensure users can only plan on allowed dimension combinations.

• Prevent invalid scenarios (e.g., Product A not allowed in Region B).

✅ Value Driver Trees

• Visual simulations of planning logic.

• Analyze driver-based planning impacts.

• Supports KPI forecasting, input tracing, and interactivity.

✅ Structured Allocations

• Allocate costs based on defined logic (e.g., hours, percentages).

• No scripting required.

• Steps reusable and visually designed.

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📝 Manual Planning Task Walkthrough

🔹 Task 1: Create a Story and Configure a Table

• Add a data table to the story.

• Connect to a planning model.

• Enable data entry by unlocking cells.

🔹 Task 2: Use Simulation Features

• Use Value Driver Trees to visualize business impact.

• Run what-if scenarios using sliders, inputs, or formulas.

🔹 Task 3: Use Disaggregation and Publish

• Input values at parent node → auto-disaggregates.

• Work in Private Version mode.

• Review → Publish when ready.

🔹 Task 4: Lock Cells

• Use data locking panel.

• Lock finalized data (e.g., Actuals).

• Assign owners for decentralized control.

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🔐 Security & Collaboration Notes

• SAC planning is collaborative but controlled.

• Locks, ownership, and versioning protect data integrity.

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✅ Summary

SAP Analytics Cloud Planning enables:

• Flexible data input and simulation

• Structured workflows for planning, forecasting, and budgeting

• Collaboration with versioning and data locking

• Advanced modeling without requiring heavy scripting