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Planning & Forecasting

Workday Adaptive Planning for Managing Cash Flow

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This post continues our series on how we use Workday Adaptive Planning to solve problems. Each blog post focuses on a real-world client experience where Revelwood was presented with a unique or thorny problem.  We’ll explain our approach to how we solved it.

Revelwood Client: A construction company that prides itself on building homes that “just feel right.” They build quality-made homes across Easter Pennsylvania, in Berks County, Chester County, Lancaster County, Lebanon County and more. 

Problem: Managing Cash Flow

Scenario: Cash flow is one of the biggest challenges facing home builders. A home building company will get a down payment from a client, after which the construction company relies on bank loans per project to cover the labor and material costs until the home is finished and turned over to the new homeowner. It sounds simple – except when faced with variable costs for labor and goods, delays for materials and a multitude of new projects at various levels of completion. This company needed insight into how the increasing costs and delays impact any one project. They also wanted to understand how the sum of the current projects relate to cash flow and the company’s ability to sign contracts with new clients.  

How We Helped: Revelwood integrated Workday Adaptive Planning with MarkSystems Home Builder Software. Revelwood built a cash flow model that incorporates detailed loan information. The cash flow modeling, analysis and reporting solution relies on data sets for “draws.” A draw schedule is a detailed payment plan that determines when a bank will disburse funds to the home building company. The company how has a sophisticated and comprehensive view of cash flow based on projects, payments and milestones. 

Do you have a challenge you’d like to leverage Workday Adaptive Planning for? Reach out to us – we can help!

Read the posts in our series, How We Solve Problems Using Workday Adaptive Planning

How We Solve Problems: Improving the Performance of Workday Adaptive Planning

How We Solve Problems Using Workday Adaptive Planning

Using Workday Adaptive Planning for Headcount Planning

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IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: PAW Picklists

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You may have read our previous blog posts about creating picklists in IBM Planning Analytics and using them in the Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) interface.

PAW version 101 introduced the ability to easily create picklists from a view. This is done by simply selecting one or more cells (note that the selected cells must be the same type – string or numeric), right-clicking, and selecting the option to Set picklist.

Once selected, a screen will appear that allows you to define the picklist type: static or hierarchy:

  • A static picklist is a hard-coded list of cells that you can define independent of the existing model. This is done by clicking on the option to Add Values to a list.
  • A hierarchy picklist allows you to reference an existing dimension to define the selections. The dimension can reference all elements in the dimension or an existing subset within the dimension.

Once defined, a picklist icon will appear within the defined cells so users can easily select their input values.

This approach provides an easy-to-use, wizard-based approach to creating picklists in your PAW environment.

Revelwood is an IBM Gold Business Partner with 25+ years of experience designing, developing, implementing and maintaining IBM Planning Analytics environments. Revelwood has helped clients in all sizes across all industries optimize and grow their use of Planning Analytics. Revelwood’s Planning Analytics team consists of experienced PA experts, including a multi-year IBM Champion.

Stay up to date with PA – sign up for our weekly Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join our IBM Planning Analytics All-Stars group on LinkedIn.

Read more IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks:

IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: PAW Attributes Types

IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: PAW Rule Auto Complete Display

IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: PAW Settings – File Upload Action Button

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Workday Adaptive Planning for Complex Workforce Planning

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This post continues our series on how we use Workday Adaptive Planning to solve problems. Each blog post focuses on a real-world client experience where Revelwood was presented with a unique or thorny problem.  We’ll explain our approach to how we solved it.

Revelwood Client: A multi-site healthcare organization that helps families with autism or other special needs thrive. The organization specializes in the use of tailored treatment programs based on contemporary, family-focused applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, as well as clinical insights and best practices. 

Problem: Workforce / headcount planning

Scenario: This organization has complex workforce planning needs that include analyzing non-billable time.

How We Helped: Revelwood built a model for Workday Adaptive Planning that integrated with UKG Pro. With Workday Adaptive Planning, the organization can run a report with conditional formatting to identify any employee who logs more than 250 hours of non-billable time in one payroll period. The team can easily make updates, such as adding in expected promotions and departures, and see what impact those actions will have. By having this information readily available, the organization can have larger, more meaningful conversations about the best use of its workforce.

Do you have a challenge you’d like to leverage Workday Adaptive Planning for? Reach out to us – we can help!

Read the posts in our series, How We Solve Problems Using Workday Adaptive Planning

How We Solve Problems: Improving the Performance of Workday Adaptive Planning

How We Solve Problems Using Workday Adaptive Planning

Using Workday Adaptive Planning for Headcount Planning

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Driving Operational Efficiency

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A recent episode of FP&A Done Right – The Podcast, focuses on how finance teams enhance operational efficiency through strategic planning and data-driven decision-making.

In today’s dynamic business environment, the ability to plan effectively and adapt to change is crucial. Company-wide planning platforms offer tools that not only streamline financial processes but also provide strategic value by enabling better decision-making and fostering collaboration.

Strategic Planning and Operational Efficiency

Strategic planning drives operational efficiency by:

1. Enhancing Agility in Financial Planning

Enterprise planning enables finance teams to adapt swiftly to changing business conditions. It facilitates real-time scenario modeling and forecasting, which means organizations can make informed decisions promptly.

2. Streamlining Collaboration Across Departments

Company-wide planning fosters cross-functional collaboration. A unified platform ensures that all stakeholders are aligned, reducing silos and enhancing overall efficiency.

3. Leveraging Data for Strategic Insights

By harnessing data, finance teams can uncover insights that drive strategic initiatives and long-term growth.

Listen to this episode to learn more about how enterprise planning can drive results in efficiencies beyond the Office of Finance.Want a deeper dive?

Download our eBook on the topic.

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Workday Adaptive Tips and Tricks: Data Integration and Creating a Join Table 

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Did you know that Workday Adaptive Planning integrations  allow you to create joined tables to be used as a source table in Adaptive?

It’s true! The process involves creating and defining the join between tables. You must have the proper credentials yourself within Workday Adaptive Planning to perform these steps.

Create the Join table Data Source:

From the Workday navigation button, go to Integration -> Design Integrations

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You will arrive at the following screen.  Under the Component Library section click on the Data Sources option.

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From the list that is presented, the first option is to Create a new Data Source, select this.

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Once clicked, the following list will be presented, select Table Group, give it a name, and hit the Create button. 

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The Join table data source will be created; however, nothing has been defined yet regarding a table being joined, in essence, a shell has been created as seen below.

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The next step is to define the Join table, this is done by selecting the Join Table option under the Custom Table folder and dragging and dropping the Join Table onto the Tables To Import pane.

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When you drag and drop the Join Table onto the Tables To Import Pane, a new window opens asking you to define the Join itself.

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Here you will give the table an actual name and assign the Primary table in the Join.

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The next steps are to Add the joins to other tables and define the join expressions within, apply the changes and save the table.

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The last steps are to select the columns you want to be part of the table and save the table again.

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That’s all it takes to set up the Adaptive Data Source Join Table, now you’re ready to utilize it in the Staging area for integration however you see fit!

Revelwood is an award-winning, Platinum Solution Provider for Workday Adaptive Planning. We build solutions for the Office of Finance that minimize your risk by seamlessly incorporating business analytics into your everyday thinking. By combining the software with our best practices and out-of-the-box applications, we help businesses achieve their full potential with Workday Adaptive Planning.

Read more Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks:

Version Specific Transactions Drillthroughs

Spread Lookups

Forecast Explanations in Predictive Forecaster

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IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: The Hidden Structure of 1/7: A Mathematical Perspective

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Today is July 1.  It’s the first day of the second half of the year and it’s also international chicken wing day. But for the purposes of today’s blog, none of that matters. What matters is that the reciprocal of 7/1 is 1/7, which leads to some fun with numbers!

The result of 1 divided by 7 is .142857. If you multiply that result by the integers 1 through 6 then you get the same resulting digits in the same sequence but in a different order …

142857 x 1 = 142857 

142857 x 2 = 285714 

142857 x 3 = 428571 

142857 x 4 = 571428 

142857 x 5 = 714285 

142857 x 6 = 857142 

What makes this even more special is that 142857 is also a Kaprekar number. This means that if you square the number and then separate that into 2 new numbers, you can add the 2 new numbers to come back to the initial number …

142857 x 142857 = 20408122449

Then take 20408 + 122449 and you will get the result of 142857!

So what’s the purpose of today’s blog?  It’s simply a reminder that MATH IS AWESOME!

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Introducing the FP&A Done Right – The Podcast

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We’ve launched a podcast! FP&A Done Right – The Podcast.

In the first episode of FP&A Done Right – The Podcast, we set the stage for a transformative journey into the evolving world of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). This episode serves as a primer, introducing you to the podcast’s mission: to demystify FP&A and provide actionable insights for FP&A leaders.

The Importance of Modern FP&A

FP&A leaders play a critical role in strategic decision-making. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and economic uncertainties, traditional financial planning methods are no longer sufficient. Modern FP&A requires agility, real-time data analysis, and a forward-thinking mindset.

Key Themes and Takeaways

  1. 1. Embracing Technology: The episode underscores the necessity of integrating advanced tools and technologies into FP&A processes. By leveraging platforms like Workday Adaptive Planning, finance teams can enhance forecasting accuracy and operational efficiency.
  2. 2. Strategic Collaboration: Effective FP&A isn’t confined to the finance department. We discuss the importance of cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that insights and strategies align across all business units.
  3. 3. Continuous Learning: The Office of Finance is evolving rapidly. FP&A leaders should focus on ongoing education and adaptability. Staying updated with industry trends and best practices is crucial for sustained success.

Episode one lays a solid foundation for future discussions, promising deep dives into topics such as scenario planning, budgeting for SaaS businesses and successful financial performance management implementations. Listeners can anticipate a blend of trends, success stories and practical tips. FP&A Done Right – The Podcast is a valuable resource for finance professionals seeking to navigate the complexities of modern financial planning. By combining strategic insights with real-world applications, the podcast aims to empower its audience to drive meaningful change within their organizations.

More from our FP&A Done Right Series:

From Static to Dynamic: How Businesses Can Embrace Agile Planning, Part 2

From Static to Dynamic: How Businesses Can Embrace Agile Planning, Part 1

The Hidden Value of Strategic Planning: Gaining Operational Efficiencies

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IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: PAW Settings – File Upload Action Button

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Have you ever written a TurboIntegrator (TI) script that used a manually uploaded file as a source? If so, this requires a two-step process: upload the file and then run the script. As long as you remember to follow both steps, the process will work great. But what if you forget to upload a new file?  (insert your own “misremember” joke here!).

IBM Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW) action buttons can resolve this situation for you by using the Allow File Upload setting within the Properties, Configure area.  

When this setting is enabled, a File Upload window will appear before the process is run.


By having the button prompt you for a file, it will be easier to ensure that the script is using the data that you need for the process.

Revelwood is an IBM Gold Business Partner with 25+ years of experience designing, developing, implementing and maintaining IBM Planning Analytics environments. Revelwood has helped clients in all sizes across all industries optimize and grow their use of Planning Analytics. Revelwood’s Planning Analytics team consists of experienced PA experts, including a multi-year IBM Champion.

Stay up to date with PA – sign up for our weekly Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join our IBM Planning Analytics All-Stars group on LinkedIn.

Read more IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks:

IBM Planning Analytics Workspace Settings: DIM Editor Page Size

IBM Planning Analytics Workspace Settings – Dim Editor Index

IBM Planning Analytics Tips & Tricks: Application Websheet Folders

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Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks: Greatest & Least Formulas

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Many of you have probably used the MIN and MAX formulas in Excel when working with financial models, reporting, and data analysis, comparing and selecting minimum or maximum values in a range is a common requirement. In Workday Adaptive Planning, we achieve these results by using the “least” and “greatest” functions. While these functions serve similar purposes, there are key differences in their syntax, use cases, and behavior. Let’s explore these differences to help you transition smoothly between Excel and Workday Adaptive Planning.

Excel’s MIN and MAX Functions

Syntax and Usage

Excel provides the following functions for determining the smallest and largest values within a range or set of numbers:

  • =MIN(number1, number2, …, range) – Returns the smallest number from the given arguments.
  • =MAX(number1, number2, …, range) – Returns the largest number from the given arguments.

Examples

  • =MIN(5,10,15) – Returns the number 5.
  • =MAX(A1:A10) – Returns the highest value within this range of cells.

Syntax and Usage

  • Accepts both individual numbers and ranges.
  • Ignores blank cells and text values within a range.
  • Can handle a large dataset efficiently.

Workday Adaptive Planning’s “Least” and “Greatest” Functions

Syntax and Usage

In Workday Adaptive Planning, similar functionality is achieved using:

  • least(value1, value2, …) – Returns the smallest value from the provided list.
  • greatest(value1, value2, …) – Returns the largest value from the provided list.

Examples

  • least(5, 10, 15)  – Returns 5
  • greatest([Account1], [Account2], [Account3]) – Returns the highest value among the specified accounts
  • greatest(Account1 – Account2, 0) – Returns 0 if the formula results in a negative number

Key Features

  • Works with both hardcoded values, account references and formulas.
  • Requires specifying individual values explicitly; does not accept a single range like Excel.
  • Useful for comparing multiple account balances or forecast values within a model.

Understanding these differences ensures a smoother transition between Excel-based financial modeling and Workday Adaptive Planning. While the fundamental concept remains the same, adjusting for syntax and range-handling nuances will help you leverage these functions effectively in both tools.

Revelwood is an award-winning, Platinum Solution Provider for Workday Adaptive Planning. We build solutions for the Office of Finance that minimize your risk by seamlessly incorporating business analytics into your everyday thinking. By combining the software with our best practices and out-of-the-box applications, we help businesses achieve their full potential with Workday Adaptive Planning.

Read more Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks:

Cube Sheet Restrictions in Workday Adaptive Planning

Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks: The User Access Calculator

Workday Adaptive Planning Tips & Tricks: Machine Learning Predictive Forecaster: Lever Sheets

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