Performing a Simulation

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to perform a simulation

Simulation

After editing data in a planning view, you can simulate the effect that these changes will have on the calculated key figures. Simulation recalculates the calculated key figures to simulate a scenario with the changes applied. Note the following points about simulations:

  • A simulation recalculates all of the calculated key figures.

  • A simulation does not need to be saved.

  • A simulation has unlimited what-if scenarios.

You can save the changes or refresh the view to discard the changes. You can also save the changes as a user-defined scenario.

Uses for a Simulation

  • Discard the changes.

  • Save the data to the database.

  • Save the data as a user-defined scenario with no changes to the version simulated.

If you have multiple planning views in one workbook, a simulation can be performed in one planning view, which is propagated automatically to the other planning views in the same workbook without you having to save the data. The same applies to refreshing simulated data.

Demonstration: How to perform a Simulation

Perform a Simulation

Business Example

Your users want to perform a what-if analysis by changing the plan and calculating the affected key figures, without saving the data. Demonstrate how simulations can fulfill this business requirement.

Note that when the data values for the exercise include ##, replace ## with the group number that the instructor has provided to you.

Steps

  1. Using Microsoft Excel open your favorite T## Consensus Demand planning view, change the values of Sales Forecast Qty so that the values for the next quarter are 1.5 times higher, simulate to calculate the value of the Sales Forecast Rev key figure and save the simulation afterwards.

    1. Log in to Microsoft Excel, choose the SAP IBP tab, and choose Log On Connection.

    2. On the SAP IBP tab, choose Favorites → T## Consensus Demand.

      Result

      Your planning view is displayed.

    3. Starting from next quarter, type in the values for Sales Forecast Qty that are about 1.5 of current values. Type that in every month in the next quarter in Microsoft Excel.

    4. Choose Simulate → Simulate (Basic).

      Result

      The calculations run in real time and the Sales Forecast Revenue is calculated.

      Note

      On the simulation, the changes at product sub-family level are disaggregated to the lowest granular level of product and customer for the Series 2 product sub-family. When displayed in planning views, these key figures are aggregated to the product sub-family level.

    5. Choose Save Data to commit the changes to the database.

      Result

      These changes are applied to the planning view and the updated key figures values are saved to the database at a granular level.

    6. Note that you can select the reason code and provide a comment as required for the change.

      You can only provide reason codes if your user has permission for this in the User Management application.

  2. Review the planning results on a disaggregated planning level. Adjust your T## Consensus Demand planning view,by adding the attribute Customer ID.

    1. On the SAP IBP tab, choose Edit View → Edit Planning View and then choose Attributes tab.

    2. Select Attributes Customer ID and Product SubFamily and choose OK.

      The planning view shows how the disaggregation has been applied.

      Note

      Key Figures with data in the past, like Actuals Qty and calculated key figures, such as Sales Forecast Revenue, cannot be changed and will cause a validation error if you choose Simulate or Save.

      Result

      Remain logged in on the SAP IBP tab.

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