Overview 

Enables users to set up a planning cube by defining dimensions, time horizon, measures, and optional actuals comparison. It provides flexible options to structure planning data, control user access, and establish workflows for planning, review, and approval. 

Step 1: Navigate to Planning 

1. Go to Planning from the left panel  

2. Click + Add  

3. Enter:  

• Name  

• Description  

• Plan Type (Forecast / Budget / etc.)  

Step 2: Decide Planning Granularity (Dimension Level) 

Before configuring, decide at what level planning should happen: 

Example: 

• Region level  

• Product level  

• Region + Product level  

• Department level  

👉 This determines how your planning grid will be structured. 

Step 3: Configure Dimensions 

You have 3 ways to define dimension combinations: 

Option 1: Use Planning Combinations (Catalog Table) 

Use this when: 

• You already maintain a predefined combination table  

• Or want to control combinations manually (even via input form)  

Steps: 

1. Select Use Planning Combinations (Catalog table)  

2. Choose the Catalog Table  

3. Click + Add under Dimension Fields  

4. Map:  

• Label (e.g., Region, Product)  

• Reference Field  

5. Click Next  

Option 2: Derive Combinations from Actuals Table 

Use this when: 

• You already have historical data (actuals)  

• Want system to auto-pick valid combinations  

Steps: 

1. Select Derive combinations from Actuals table  

2. Choose:  

• Actuals Table  

• Lookback Period (e.g., last 12 months)  

• Lookback Unit (Month)  

• Time Field (date column)  

3. Add Dimension Fields 

4. Click Next  

Option 3: Build from Master Dimensions (Dimension Tables) 

Use this when: 

• You have separate dimension tables (e.g., product master, region master)  

Steps: 

1. Select Build from Master Dimensions  

2. Click + Add  

3. For each dimension:  

• Select Lookup Table  

• Select Reference Field  

4. Add multiple dimensions as needed  

5. Click Next  

🔁 Common Steps (Applicable for All above 3 Options) 

Step 4: Define Time (Planning Horizon) 

Defines the planning granularity (Month/Quarter/Year) and duration for which the plan will be created. 

1. Select Granularity:  

• Week / Month / Quarter / Year  

2. Enter Horizon Count  

• Example: 12 (months)  

3. Select New Plan Start:  

• Include Current Period  

• Exclude Current Period  

• Fiscal Year  

• Fixed (provide Start & End date)  

4. Select Fiscal Year Start Month  

5. Click Next  

Step 5: Define Measures 

Configures the key metrics (e.g., Revenue, Quantity) that users will plan and track. 

1. Click + Add  

2. Enter:  

• Label (e.g., Revenue)  

• Name  

• Decimals  

• Aggregation (Sum)  

• Display Unit ($ / Units / etc.)  

3. Click Next  

Step 6: Actuals Mapping (Optional) 

Enables comparison of plan data with actuals for variance analysis and historical context. 

Enable this if you want Plan vs Actual comparison 

Steps: 

1. Enable Actuals Mapping Toggle  

2. Select:  

• Actuals Table  

• Time Field  

• Dimension Mapping  

Display & Comparison: 

1. Click + Add  

2. Select:  

• Actual Measure  

• Label  

3. Define Time Logic:  

• Mode: Per Period  

4. Alignment Options:  

• Same Month  

• Previous Month  

• Year-over-Year (YoY)  

• Custom (offset + unit)  

Display Settings: 

• Enable Display in Grid  

• Enable Use for Baseline Copy (if needed)  

• Missing Values:  

• Blank / Zero  

• Enable Show Details (for granular data)  

Details Section: 

• Select columns to display  

• Enable Show  

Step 7: Rules & Validations (Optional – can be skipped) 

This step allows you to create calculated columns and validation rules to enhance planning accuracy and enforce data quality. 

Configuration Options: 

1. Create Formula 

• Click + Create Your First Formula  

• Enter:  

1. Column Label (e.g., Variance)  

2. Description  

2. Define Formula 

1. In the Formula section, enter the calculation logic  

• Example: 

(plan.revenue) – (act.revenue) 

2. This defines how the calculated column will be derived  

3. Configure Display Settings 

1. Go to Display tab  

2. Select:  

• Format:  

• Number  

• Percentage  

• Currency  

• Decimal Places  

👉 This controls how values appear in the planning grid 

4. Enable Validation Rules 

1. Go to Validation tab  

2. Enable Validation Toggle  

5. Configure Validation Logic 

1. Select Rule Configuration:  

• Operator (e.g., Less than <, Greater than >, etc.)  

• Value (e.g., 0)  

2. Select Severity Level:  

• Info → Informational only  

• Warning → Requires attention  

• Error → Critical issue  

6. Define Action on Failure 

You can control what happens when validation fails: 

• Require Comment  

• Planner must provide comments before saving  

• Save is allowed only after justification  

• Block Save  

• Completely prevents saving  

• Even with comments, user cannot proceed  

👉 These controls ensure data quality and governance 

7. Save Validation Rule 

1. Click Save  

2. The calculated column + validation rule is created  

8. Validation Behavior in Planning Grid 

• A new calculated column (e.g., Variance) will appear in the grid  

• Based on values:  

• Validation rules are triggered  

• Planner will:  

• Add comments  

• Correct values  

• Or be blocked from saving (based on configuration) 

Note: 

• This step is optional and can be skipped if no validations are required  

• Recommended for enforcing data quality and business rules 

Step 8: Baseline Configuration 

Defines how initial plan values are populated (manual entry, prior actuals, or last approved plan). 

1. Select Plan Frequency:  

• Weekly / Monthly / Quarterly / Yearly  

2. Select Copy Baseline:  

• None → Blank plan  

• Prior Period Actuals → Auto-fill from actuals  

• Last Approved Plan → Copy previous plan  

3. Click Next  

Step 9: Security & Controls 

Controls user access, roles, and data-level restrictions for the planning process. 

Add Users: 

1. Click + Add User  

2. Select one or more users  

Assign Roles: 

• Planner → Create & save plan  

• Reviewer → Review submissions  

• Approver → Approve/reject  

• Admin → Full control  

👉 Multiple roles can be assigned to the same user 

Data Access Restriction: 

1. Enable Restrict Editable Data  

2. Select dimension values (e.g., specific Region/Product)  

3. Limits user access to only those values  

Step 10: Create Planning Cube 

Finalizes and saves the planning setup, making it available for data entry and workflow execution. 

1. Click + Create  

2. Click Save 

Planner Data Entry & Workflow in xLytix 

Overview 

Once the Planning Cube is created, users can enter planning data, submit for review, and complete approval workflows based on assigned roles (Planner, Reviewer, Approver). 

Step 1: Open Planning Workspace 

Access the planning grid where users can input, review, and manage planning data. 

1. Navigate to Planning  

2. Select the required Planning Cube  

3. Click on Input Data  

👉 Initially, the screen will be blank (no version selected) 

Step 2: Create New Draft Version 

Creates a working version of the plan where users can start entering or modifying data. 

1. Click + New Draft  

2. A new Draft Version will be created  

3. The grid will display:  

• Actual values (based on configuration)  

• Empty Plan columns  

Baseline Behavior 

• None → Planner enters values manually 

• Prior Period Actuals → Auto-filled from actuals  

• Last Approved Plan → Copied from previous plan  

Step 3: Enter Planning Data 

Allows planners to input plan values across dimensions and time periods in the grid. 

1. Planner enters values in Plan columns  

2. Data entry is:  

• Manual (based on your setup)  

• Cell-level editable (Excel-like grid)  

👉 Planner can input data across: 

• Time periods (Month/Quarter)  

• Dimension combinations (e.e., Region, Product, etc.)  

Step 4: Add Comments (Optional) 

Enables planners to add notes or justifications for specific data entries. 

1. Click on the Note icon in a cell  

2. Enter comments (e.g., assumptions, justification)  

3. Click Add  

Step 5: Save Plan 

Saves the entered data and comments without submitting it for review. 

• Click Save  

• All entered values and comments are saved  

Step 6: Submit for Review 

Sends the plan to reviewers for validation and approval with submission comments. 

1. Click Submit for Review  

2. Enter Submission Comments  

3. Click Submit for Review  

👉 This enables the Approve & Revise buttons 

Step 7: Lock Behavior After Submission 

Locks the plan data to prevent further edits while it is under review. 

• Planner cannot edit data  

• All fields become read-only  

• Plan is locked for review  

Step 8: Reviewer / Approver Actions 

Allows reviewers/approvers to validate the plan and either approve or send it back for revision. 

Approve: 

• Click Approve  

• Plan becomes Final Approved  

Revise: 

• Click Revise  

• Enter revision comments  

• Send back to Planner  

Step 9: Unlock for Revision (Advanced Control) 

Enables selective unlocking of plan data based on time or dimensions for controlled rework. 

Approver/Admin can: 

1. Enable Unlock Scoped Subset  

2. Unlock based on:  

• Time Buckets (specific periods)  

• Dimension Filters (Region/Product)  

👉 This allows partial editing instead of full unlock 

Step 10: Rework by Planner 

Allows planners to update the plan based on reviewer feedback and resubmit it. 

• Plan returns to Draft  

• Planner updates values  

• Resubmits for review  

Step 11: Final Approval 

Confirms the plan as final, making it read-only and ready for execution or reporting. 

• Reviewer/Approver approves the plan  

• Plan becomes Final  

• No further edits allowed  

Step 12: Create New Plan / Version from Existing Data 

Allows planners to create new drafts either by copying an approved version or using baseline configurations. 

Planner can create a new draft in two ways depending on the requirement: 

🔹 Option 1: Copy from Selected Approved Version 

Use this when planner wants to reuse values from a specific approved plan 

Steps: 

1. Select the required Approved Version from the Version dropdown  

2. Click Copy  

3. A new Draft Version will be created  

4. All plan values from the selected version will be copied  

👉 Useful for: 

• Minor adjustments to previous plans  

• Scenario-based planning  

🔹 Option 2: Create New Draft Based on Baseline Settings 

Use this when planner wants the system to auto-populate data based on configuration 

Steps: 

1. Click + New Draft  

2. System behavior depends on Baseline Configuration (set during planning setup):  

• Prior Period Actuals 
  → Plan values will be auto-filled from actuals data  

• Last Approved Plan 
  → Plan values will be copied from the most recent approved plan  

• None (current setup) 
  → Plan will be blank, and planner must enter values manually 

Step 13: Additional Features 

Provides supporting capabilities like configuration view, audit logs, and detailed data visibility. 

Config 

• Opens planning configuration (read/edit setup)  

Audit 

• Displays full activity history:  

• Created  

• Submitted  

• Approved  

• Copied  

Show Details 

• Displays granular actual data  

• Based on enabled columns in configuration  

Multiple Measures 

• If multiple measures are configured:  

• Each measure appears as a separate tab 

🔄 Plan Workflow Summary 

• Draft → Planner enters data  

• Submit → Sent for Review  

• Review → Approve / Revise  

• Revise → Back to Draft  

• Approve → Final Plan