Contents x
    Signals
    • 14 Minutes to read
    • Print
    • Dark
      Light
    • PDF
    Contents

    Signals

    • 14 Minutes to read
    • Print
    • Dark
      Light
    • PDF
    Article Summary

    The Predict Signals  functionality supports Signals for roll-up members, leaf-level members, calculated members, substitution or derived variables, and simple user-defined custom formula members.

    Signals are divided into three categories based on the variance between the user-provided value and AI-generated statistical ranges.

    • High Risk
    • Medium Risk
    • Low Risk

    All users that already have access to Reports will by default have access to Signals Overview. The Signals Overview page has a comprehensive look and feel. The following is a list of the features on the Signals Overview page:


    Donut Charts

    You can see donut charts of the Total number of GL Combinations processed and the count of GL combinations having High-Risk signals, Medium-Risk signals, and Low-Risk signals, displaying the severity of each GL combination.

    DonutChartsSignals.png

    The percentage inside the chart corresponds to the signals' proportion to the total number of signals. While the number beside the donut chart displays the count of the signals.
    Note:
    A user input value is identified as a signal only when it does not lie between the upper and lower ranges generated by the Signals AI engine.


    Total Impact and Peak Impact

    The Total Impact represents the total dollar impact for all the month-wise signals of a specific GL combination for the selected fiscal year. For a single GL combination, there could be different Signals with different risk categories. The variances of all those Signals based on the upper range and the lower range (for Signals below the lower range) added together give the Total Impact. Total Impact essentially is the total variance of Signals for a fiscal year.

    The Peak Impact represents the dollar impact for the highest signal available (the one with the highest variance) for a given GL combination for the selected fiscal year. The Peak Impact helps you identify those anomalies that could be a result of typos or fat-finger errors.

    • The Total Impact and the Peak Impact are not associated with the Risk Levels. For specific selection criteria, you must sort both the Peak Impact and the Total Impact to get the topmost relevant signals.
      For example, for a given GL combination and fiscal year, there could be a medium-risk signal in June having a higher dollar impact than a high-risk signal in December with a lower dollar impact. Let us say, the actuals for all the Decembers across the previous years are within the $1000 to $3000 range. In this case, even $5000 could also be a high-risk signal. Whereas, for June, the actuals are usually very high and range from $500,000 to $1000,000. Then, even a medium or low-risk signal that is slightly off the normal range could have a much larger dollar impact than the high risk in December.

    • Comparing Total Impact and Peak Impact:
      When we consider the Total Impact, the presence of multiple low-dollar impacts averages out the one or two high-dollar impacts. While Peak Impact captures the fat-finger error cases, the Total Impact captures cases that are not planned well or are planned with conscious changes in planning assumptions, etc.
      For example, in situations where the business has taken a conscious planning change and allocated a higher budget for a GL combination for the selected fiscal year, there is a possibility that all 12 months have low-risk signals, and the total dollar impact is also a decent number, say $80,000. This number could deprioritize a fat-finger error case for a different GL combination in March. The month of March has just one Signal where the numbers range from $6,000 to $10,000 and there is a signal because $60,000 was input instead of $6,000. This will be captured by the Peak Impact and help you analyze these issues.


    Signal Context

    When you are on the Signal details grid, you can click any row in the grid to view the corresponding signal's context. A pop-up is displayed containing the signal's entire dimensions, a data table, and a graph that showcases all the required information on the signals. The Data table contains:

    • The Budget/Forecast scenario for the entire fiscal year of the selected row.

    • The upper and lower ranges are generated by the AI engine.

    • The historical actuals used for Model Training.

    Note:
    The historical actuals are displayed only up to the past six years.

    The graph displays the same information visually intuitively, which justifies why it was marked as a signal. By default, the graph has the upper and lower ranges and the forecast scenario, but it lets you see the historical actuals on it by clicking on the actual data label displayed below the graph. The pop-up displays data for all the months in the entire fiscal year to demonstrate the trend and seasonality present in the data; this helps understand the signal better.

    SignalContextUpdate.png

    This functionality provides you the ease of viewing the data trend of a selected dimension for the entire fiscal year and comparing it with the historical actuals. You can view actual data for multiple years and view their trend along with the selected scenario, upper range, and lower range. It gives you a better understanding of every Signal.

    SignalContextHistoricalActualsUpdate2.png

    You can click on the PDF icon available on the Signal Context screen to download a snapshot of the signal context that you have chosen. This provides you with the flexibility to view and analyze the signal context offline and thereby reduces the dependency on application availability.

    PredictExportingSignals2.png


    Comment

    You can right-click on any cell in the first row (scenario row) of the Signal context table and provide a comment specific to that cell. This functionality helps you collaborate with colleagues or peers to collectively address potential anomalies.

    Comment14.png

    You can also type '@' or ‘+’ and mention the name of the colleague you would like to collaborate with.

    Note:
    The collaborator should be an active user of the Planful application.

    LeaveAcomment2.png

    You can choose to assign the comment as a task to a collaborator.

    Comment32.png

    Once you have commented on a cell, a blue comment icon will appear on the top right corner of that cell. You can click that icon to view the comment trail on that cell.

    commentblue2.png

    Only the assignee of a task can mark it as complete. Only the creator of the comment can delete the comment. Once a comment has been resolved, the blue comment icon will automatically disappear from the cell.

    In Practice: Dynamic Commentary

    1. Go to the Signal Context pop-up of any Signal. Right-click on any cell of the scenario row where you want to add a comment.

    2. Click Comment. The Leave a comment pop-up appears.

    3. You can leave a comment or add other collaborators by using +. You can use + to mention a collaborator on a comment or assign a comment as a task to the collaborator.

      After typing "+" and the starting alphabet of a username a drop-down list of all the active users whose names begin with that alphabet is displayed.

      Note:
      The collaborator should be an active user of the Planful application.

    4. If you choose to assign a task to a collaborator, you need to do the following.

    • Enable the Assign to <username> checkbox
    • Fill in the following details:
      • Title of the task
      • Due date of the task
      • Priority level of the task

    Once you have filled in these details, you can click Create Task . You can view the task in the Task Manager.

    Or, if you choose to leave a comment by just mentioning the user without assigning any task, you can click Comment.

    A blue comment icon will appear on the top right corner of that cell. You can click that icon to view the comment trail on that cell.


    Drill Through

    You can right-click on any Signal in the Signal Context screen to view the Drill Through option. This allows you to view and analyze all financial, operational, capital, workforce, and transactional data for that Signal from a single place.

    For more information on the drill through functionality, refer to Enhanced Drilling on Dynamic Report Output.
    In Practice

    1. Go to the Signal Context page. Right-click on the Signal for which you want to view the Drill Through.

    2. Click Drill Through.

      DrillThrough12.png

      The Drill Through page is displayed with the all data tabs to display the GL combination.

      DrillThrough22.png

    3. Click on the reference given under the Doc Ref column, and you will be redirected to the input sheet from where the data for the selected GL combination is stored.

      DrillThrough32.png

      DrillThrough42.png


    Resolve Signals

    Resolve signals for single or multiple cells in the Signal Context screen of Signals Overview, Dynamic Reports, and Templates.

    In Practice

    1. Go to the Signal Context page. Right-click on the Signal(s) for which you want to resolve

    2. Click Resolve Signals.
      The Resolve Signals pane will appear.
    3. Select the reason for resolution from a list of pre-existing options. If you resolve multiple signals simultaneously, the same reason will be applied to all.
      The resolved signal will now appear as a comment in the report. The comment will display the original cell value, the reason for resolving the signal, and any additional information provided while resolving the signal.
      The following is an illustration of the comment.
    Note:
    Resolving signals permanently unflags the cells with the specified GL Combination and value(s), and the signal(s) will be marked as resolved in all other application areas for the same GL Combination.



    You can view Predict Signals in Dynamic Reports. This functionality supports Signals for roll-up members, leaf-level members, calculated members, substitution or derived variables, and simple user-defined custom formula members.

    Signals are also supported for Dynamic Reports with a Static Report Set that meets the following criteria:

    • The reporting area of the Report Set must be Financial.

    • Only dimension members (non-attribute members) must be selected for the report set.

    The following is an illustration of the Predict: Signals screen.

    You are not required to precompute all scenarios in Dynamic Reports to view the Signals in these reports. Instead, once you have completed the Model Training, you will see Signals for all scenarios in Dynamic Reports.

    Note:
    You must still select the three scenarios for precomputation to view Signals in the Signals Overview page.

    In Dynamic Reports that already have some formatting defined, the Predict Signals severity colors will take precedence over the report formatting used. Hiding Signals will enable you to view the report in its custom formatting.


    Generate Signals

    The Signals For All Lines option generates signals instantly for smaller reports of up to 50 lines.

    The Signals For Selected Line(s)allows you to check signals when the report's size exceeds the maximum limit of 100 lines without any delay.



    Hide Signals

    Hide the signals for a report or template if you do not want to view Signals for that report/template in the future without the risk of losing any data.


    Resolve Signals
    Resolving signals permanently unflags the cells with the specified GL combination(s) and value(s). When you resolve a signal or multiple signals in templates, the signal(s) will be marked as resolved in all other areas of the application for the same GL combination(s).

    In Practice

    To resolve signals on templates, perform the following:

    1. Select the cell(s) or line(s) you want to resolve, and right-click.
    2. Click Predict Signals > Resolve Signals option from the drop-down list.
      The Resolve Signals pane will appear.
    3. Select the reason for resolution from a list of pre-existing options. If you resolve multiple signals simultaneously, the same reason will be applied to all.
    4. Click Resolve.
      The resolved signal will now appear as a comment in the report. The comment will display the original cell value, the reason for resolving the signal, and any additional information provided while resolving the signal.


    Show Legend Panel

    The Legend Panel displays color codes for signals, each color code represents the following categories: Red (High-Risk), Orange (Medium-Risk), Cyan (Low-Risk), and Blue (Insufficient History).

    In Practice

    1. Open a template.
    2. Click Predict> Check All Lines option from the top menu bar.
      The application displays color-coded signals along with the Legend panel at the bottom of the screen.
    3. To unselect the unwanted categories in the legend panel.
    4. If you want to hide the legend panel, click the Hide button in the legend panel, or click the Predict > Hide Legend option from the top menu bar.
    5. If you want to view the legend panel after hiding it, click the Predict > Show Legend option from the top menu bar.


    Adjust Signals Range

    The Signals Range feature temporarily modifies the sensitivity level for a specific template on the fly, affecting only the currently open session in templates and reports. This feature allows you to adjust the sensitivity level to your preferred setting with the help of an easy-to-use slider. You can now customize the sensitivity level to view fewer or more signals directly within the template.

    Note:
    When you refresh or close the session, the sensitivity will revert to its configured setting in the Predict Admin screen.

    Once you have generated signals for the template or report, you can access the Signals Range option from either of the following ways:

    • Navigate to the Predict: Signals drop-down menu in the top menu bar and select Adjust Signals Range. 
    • Go to the Legend panel and click Signals Range. 


    The Predict Signals feature is available on GTSC, GTEC, Line Item, and Allocation Templates. Signals are also available on templates based on budget entities with dimension attributes.

    You can check Signals on the selected supported lines or the entire template as often as required. However, every time you change a cell or a set of cells, the signal will not dynamically change on those cells. Therefore, you must check for Signals again.

    Note
    • Signals will only work on all the L-type lines in a template.
    • Every time you freshly access or refresh a template, the signals will be lost. You must check for Signals again to see the signals on the templates.

    This functionality will allow users to prevent any data anomalies due to fat-finger errors or typos.

    In Practice

    To access Predict Signals on templates, perform the following:

    1. In your application, navigate to Structured Planning and select a Scenario of your choice.
    2. Choose a Template, and click Input from Template Workflow.
    3. You will now see the Predictbutton available in the top menu bar. You can access Signals from this menu button or the context menu when you right-click on any cell. 
      Note

      • If a cell has a signal, when you right-click on that cell, you will see the Show Signal Context option under Predict Signals. This option will take you to the Signal Context screen to better understand the signal.


    Generate Signals

    The Check All Lines option will work for smaller templates of a maximum of 50 lines. 

    The Check Selected Lines option checks signals for a maximum of 100 lines in one go. It is recommended to use Check Selected Lines for large templates.


    Hide Signals

    Hide the signals for a report or template if you do not want to view Signals for that report/template in the future without the risk of losing any data.


    Resolve Signals

    Resolving signals permanently unflags the cells with the specified GL combination(s) and value(s). When you resolve a signal or multiple signals in templates, the signal(s) will be marked as resolved in all other areas of the application for the same GL combination(s).


    In Practice

    To resolve signals on templates, perform the following:

    1. Select the cell(s) or line(s) you want to resolve, and right-click.
    2. Click Predict Signals > Resolve Signals option from the drop-down list.
      The Resolve Signals pane will appear.
    3. Select the reason for resolution from a list of pre-existing options. If you resolve multiple signals simultaneously, the same reason will be applied to all.
    4. Click Resolve.
      The resolved signal will now appear as a comment in the report. The comment will display the original cell value, the reason for resolving the signal, and any additional information provided while resolving the signal.


    Show Legend Panel

    The Legend Panel displays color codes for signals, each color code represents the following categories: Red (High-Risk), Orange (Medium-Risk), Cyan (Low-Risk), and Blue (Insufficient History). To highlight a category, unselect the unwanted categories in the legend panel.

    In Practice

    1. Open a template.
    2. Click Predict > Check All Lines option from the top menu bar.
      The application displays color-coded signals along with the Legend panel at the bottom of the screen.
    3. You can use the Legend panel to highlight the required signal category.
    4. If you want to hide the legend panel, click the Hide button in the legend panel, or click the Predict > Hide Legend option from the top menu bar.
    5. If you want to view the legend panel after hiding it, click the Predict > Show Legend option from the top menu bar.


    Adjust Signals Range

    The Signals Range feature temporarily modifies the sensitivity level for a specific template on the fly, affecting only the currently open session in templates and reports. This feature allows you to adjust the sensitivity level to your preferred setting with the help of an easy-to-use slider. You can now customize the sensitivity level to view fewer or more signals directly within the template.

    Note:
    When you refresh or close the session, the sensitivity will revert to its configured setting in the Predict Admin screen.

    Once you have generated signals for the template or report, you can access the Signals Range option from either of the following ways:

    • Navigate to the Predict: Signals drop-down menu in the top menu bar and select Adjust Signals Range. 
    • Go to the Legend panel and click Signals Range. 


    • Signal generation at the roll-up level is not supported in Signals Overview. Users can select roll-up members in the Selection Criteria, but signals are calculated and displayed at leaf-level members.
      Note: Signal generation at the roll-up level is supported only in Dynamic Report.
    • Updating the source system from Predict Signals is not supported.
    • The Predict Signals functionality is available only for Budget, Forecast, and Planned scenarios.
    • The Predict Signals functionality is available for Actuals in Dynamic Report.
    • In the Selection Criteria, you can select only one scenario at a time.
    • Signals data is available only on Flow MTD account types such as operating expenses, revenue accounts, and so on. Balance YTD accounts like balance sheet accounts are not considered for generating signals, so the Account hierarchy in Selection Criteria will only display flow accounts. Balance accounts are not displayed in the Selection Criteria.
    • The Predict Signals functionality is not available for calculated members in the hierarchy as they are derived values.
    • Predict only enables fiscal year setups of 12 months period, any setup other than 12 months will not be supported.

    Was this article helpful?
    What's Next

      Planful. 150 Spear Street, Suite 1850, San Francisco, CA 94105

    • Copyright © 2024 Planful. All Rights Reserved.

    Terms of Use - Privacy Policy