Using Forecast Adjustment Files

Overview

This topic shows how adjustment files may be used for adjusting base forecast amounts. This approach may be used in both Sales and P&L databases.

Adjustment Files

Multiple adjustment files may be created for any year. Each adjustment file may be used to store adjustments associated with an individual scenario (e.g. ADJ1 for Scenario 1). Likewise, multiple final forecast files maybe created for each year (e.g. WKFC1 for Scenario 1).

Editing Adjustment Files

Adjustment files may be edited via the Standard Actual/Forecast Editor in the same way as forecast data files are edited.

Note: The entry for each month must be the adjustment amount to be added to base forecast amounts and can be positive or negative.

Copying Base Forecasts to Adjusted Forecast File

Before applying adjustments to any forecast scenario, ensure that base forecast data have been copied into the adjusted forecast file for the scenario concerned. This is achieved as follows:

1. From IFP Home select Databases / Files > Data File Manager
2. Select base forecast file (e.g. 2015 WKFC) and select Copy from the toolbar
3. Set the target file (e.g. 2015 WKFC1), select the period Jan - Dec and include Units and ASP
4. Do not select any advanced options
5. Select required items
6. Click Finish

Copying and Pasting Adjustments for Individual Items

The most convenient method for applying adjustments to individual items is as follows:

1. From IFP Home select Forecasting > Standard Actual/Forecast Editor
2. Select 3 files as shown below (File #1 = base forecast, File #2 = adjustments, File #3 = adjusted forecast file)
   
3. Select Data to be Amended = Units, Data to be Entered = Units
4. Select required items
5. Select Level of detail = Item Code
6. Click Finish
7. Select cells containing adjustment amounts for an individual item
8. Copy these values and point to the corresponding first cell for the adjusted forecast file
9. Right-click, use Paste Special > Add
   

Copying and Pasting Adjustments for Multiple Items

To apply adjustments for a set of items, proceed as follows:

1. From IFP Home select Forecasting > Standard Actual/Forecast Editor
2. Select Custom File Selection and select adjusted forecast file for scenario (e.g. 2015 WKFC1)
3. Select Data to be Amended = Units, Data to be Entered = Units
4. Select required items
5. Set the Level of detail to Grand Total + Item Code (to avoid including sub-totals)
6. When the editing grid appears, select File > New > Standard Reports > Analysis vs Time
7. Select adjustment file for scenario (e.g. 2015 ADJ1)
8. Select exactly the same set of items as used for the forecast editor in step 4 above.
9. Set level of detail to Grand Total + Item Code (to avoid including sub-totals)
10. Include units only
11. When the report appears select Jan - Dec for all items (excluding the Grand Total line) and copy these cells.
12. In the editing grid containing the WKFC1 file, right click on Jan for the first item and use Paste Special > Add

Note: Suitable comments should be added to each item code which has been adjusted.

Combining Base Forecasts and Adjustments via File Copying

If you have access to Data File Manager (e.g. you are a  Local Administrator) then you may combine base forecasts with adjustments for any scenario for any set of selected items via File Copying. An example for Scenario 1 would be as follows:

1. From IFP Home select Databases / Files > Data File Manager
2. Select the adjustments file (e.g. 2015 ADJ1) and select Copy from the toolbar 
3. Select target file (e.g. 2015 WKFC1), select the period Jan - Dec and include Units and ASP
4. Select Add to existing values
5. Select required items
6. Click Finish

AutoTasks

It is advisable to save the above file copying operations as AutoTasks. For example, suitable AutoTasks for CY would be as follows:

1. Copy CY Base Forecasts to Adjusted Forecast File for All Items 
2. Copy CY Adjustments to Adjusted Forecast File for All Items
3. Copy CY Base Forecasts & Adjustments to Adjusted Forecast File for All Items

AutoTask 3 here is a MultiTask that combines AutoTasks 1 and 2.

Similar AutoTasks should be created for each forecast year (CY+1, CY+2, etc).