SAP Learning Journey

Combining augmented analytics time series forecasting models with planning

Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Combine an augmented analytics time series forecasting models with planning in SAC

Enhance a business plan with predictive model outputs

Predictive analytics naturally complements planning

Predictive forecasts are based on actual historical data. These predictive forecasts are used as important additional sources of information for users (financial controllers, supply chain planners, sales representatives, etc.) to take informed decisions using their business acumen and knowledge.

The automated machine learning capabilities in SAP Analytics Cloud can assist users to enhance business decision making.

Graph showing planning elements

Machine learning helps planners take confident decisions with SAP Analytics Cloud predictive planning

Equation showing historical data plus machine learning
  • Predictive forecasting automates the creation of baseline planning models
  • Planners then supplement these forecasts based on business acumen
  • Planners monitor plan attainment based on continuously updated predictions
  • SAP Analytics Cloud predictive planning supports both top down and bottom up planning processes – enabling the planner to automatically building forecasts at the correct level of detail

Predictive Forecasting combines the power of planning and predictive

Planners can use time series forecasting at large scale to support key use cases related to expense forecasting, sales planning, and/or workforce planning, for example. They can then complement the planning and budgeting activities with a data-driven approach to planning.

Planners benefit from Smart Predict capabilities to generate predicted forecasts considering one or several business dimensions. Smart Predict allows them to analyse forecast accuracy by dimension value and understand signal breakdown in detail.

Planners select a planning model as the input of Smart Predict, generate segmented predictive models and deliver predictive forecasts in the planning grid in a few clicks.

Inputs from the user are minimal: actuals are used by default, only relevant columns are displayed, selection of multiple dimensions is supported for bottom-up forecasting.

Smart Predict for Revenue Forecast Predictions

Integrated predictive functions

  1. Augment time series charts and line charts with predictive forecasts:
    Chart showing predictive forecast
  2. Augment the planning grid with forecasts:
    Planning grids used to forecast
  3. Create predictive models with greater levels of control using Smart Predict (including bottom-up time series models) and serve both SAP Analytics Cloud BI and planning needs:
    Forecasts, classifications, and regressions used to create Smart Predict elements

Integrate a time series model with planning

Run a predictive time series forecast from a planning model

  1. Prepare the data by importing Actual data from a source system or from a flat file into an SAP Analytics Cloud planning model and creating a Forecast (or private) version.
  2. Create a table in a story and select a single cell that can be edited to apply a prediction to the specific selected measure.
    A table in a story highlighted.
  3. From the Tools options in the menu, select Predictive Forecast. If it is not visible in the menu, select ...More.
    The Predictive Forecast icon highlighted in the story.
  4. Under Predictive Forecast Settings and Advanced Options, customize your forecast as required and select Preview.
    • Under Algorithm select either Automatic Forecast, Linear Regression, or Triple Exponential Smoothing for the type of forecast you'd like to create.
    • Under Output Values select Positive Only so that no negative values are generated in the results.
    • Select which Version to use for the forecast to input the data. By default the Actual version is used.
    • Use Data From specifies the start of the historical data time period the algorithm will run on.
    The Create Predictive Forecast dialog
  5. If you are happy with the preview, select OK to populate the table with the forecasted values.
    Table with predicted values added.

Combining augmented analytics time series forecasting models with planning

Scenario

You have been asked to create a time series forecasting model output with an SAP Analytics Cloud planning model.

The data you have been provided is as follows:

  • Monthly sales for a 5 year period. This will be the date variable.
  • Sales for 6 car brands in 6 countries. This will be the target variable.
  • Not all brands are sold in all countries. This will be used for entity definition.
  • Each country is associated with one of two regions (EMEA north and south). Region will become a property of the Country.

The data is used as the input of a time series predictive scenario with the goal of forecasting the evolution of car sales segmented by country and brand for the next 12 months.

What skills will you develop in this practice exercise?

In this practice exercise, you will be able to perform the following tasks in SAP Analytics Cloud:

  1. Create planning model from CSV file
  2. Update planning model settings
  3. Create a story and private planning version
  4. Train forecasting models and inspect their quality
  5. Write forecasts back into planning model and use them in story
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