Defining a calculation method

A calculation method determines how the labor planning is performed. On the Calculation Method page, you can define, edit, activate, or deactivate calculation methods.

  1. Click the Home icon.
  2. Select Applications > Sub Plan > Workforce Planning > Configuration > Define Calculation Method.
  3. Click the plus icon to add a new calculation method.
  4. Specify this information:
    Name
    Specify the name of the calculation method.
    Description
    Optionally, add a description of the calculation method.
    Planning Frequency
    The planning frequency represents the frequency of forecast results and the frequency in which the user can change the labor configuration.
    The frequency that is selected for your calculation method must match the granularity of your data. That is, drivers, employee data, employee hours information, and FTE numbers must provide data at the selected planning frequency. For example, if you select the weekly planning frequency, you must provide weekly-based data for your calculation.
    Note: After you select the planning frequency and save the calculation method, you cannot modify the planning frequency.
    Maximum Data Range
    The maximum data range determines for how many forecast periods before and after the current period the calculations run.
    Select the maximum number of periods for the calculation method. The data range value that is next to the minus icon represents the number of previous periods. The data range value that is next to the plus icon represents the number of future periods.
    Default Data Range
    Select the default number of periods for the calculation method. The default data range determines for how many forecast periods the data is displayed in reports. The values of the default data range are populated from the maximum data range that is selected.
    Calculation method requires data in task detail
    Select this option to indicate that data in task detail is required. This option is related to driver values and is used for activity-based planning for direct labor. Direct labor can be associated with production of specific goods or services. Their production can be divided into required activities - so called tasks. The time effort needed to complete all these tasks in the required quantities is used for direct labor calculations. The selected task detail defines which dimension holds the tasks information. If a calculation method requires data in task detail, only drivers that include this information can be used for a labor configuration that is associated with this calculation method.
    Note: If you select that task detail is required, this option and the selected task dimension cannot be edited.
    Task dimension
    Select the dimension that includes task elements for your calculation method. The Analysis 06 dimension is reserved for decision packages and not available for selection as a task dimension.
    Dimensions
    Select dimensions to be activated for labor planning and assign their priorities. You can drag and drop dimensions in the table to assign the priority. At least one dimension must be activated. The maximum of three dimensions can be activated for any calculation method.
    Associate employees by attributes
    Select the attribute and specify the corresponding value. You can add multiple employee attributes to be associated with the calculation method. Use this option to limit the employees associated with the calculation method.
  5. Click SAVE.