What is Anaplan?

Anaplan is a cloud based planning platform.

It combines lists and dimensions, time settings and versions with excel like functions to enable users to create complex, multi-dimensional models.

These model can be used in a large number of different scenarios and across a diverse array of different functions. These range from finance and FP&A, workforce and HR to supply chain and sales planning where they help organisations and their leadership translate strategy into actionable plans.

Anaplan contains two distinct user environments; the model builder environment and the external user experience or app environment. The user experience is often referred to as the UX.

Anaplan is a cloud based multidimensional planning platform

How are Anaplan models built?

Model Builder Environment

Model builders design and build the process workflows within the model builder environment. It is here that data is combined with lists and dimensions along with time, versions and user inputs to create reports which the organisation can use to inform decision making and take action.   

Dimensions and Lists

A list is a table of related items which belong to a single definable dimension. They can be combined to create hierarchies where a parent and child relationship exists between members of adjacent lists. These are then used to define the structure of the model and can consist of dimensions such as geography, product or customer. Relationships between lists and dimensions are defined in mapping tables and form the basis on which data is moved through the model. By combining various lists and dimensions a vast combination of planning structures can be built and modelled.

Time Settings

Key to any modelling environment is a time dimension. Anaplan contains a dedicated section within the model settings where time settings can be defined. From setting the model to a weekly, monthly or generic time period based planning cycle many of the standard time settings can be accessed and utilised. Where an organisation uses a bespoke time setting or a unique calendar set up times settings can be built using lists.

Versions

Modelling across multiple dimensions and time is further extended by the use of versions. Versions is a unique type of dimension which enables allows users to create multiple parallel models for comparison and analysis. It is often used to create a forecast or budget versions alongside actuals.  

Versions are a unique Anaplan native list which allows the user to utilise a set of unique functions built for use only with versions. Switchover is the most widely utilised piece of functionality dedicated for use with versions. Switchover is set up when a new version is created and can be updated as time progresses. Switchover is defined by a model admin and allows the model builder to set a time period from which actuals data switches over to the new version. This allows the model builder to create a version in which certain time periods are actualised automatically as actuals data is used in place of the versions data up to the time period immediately prior to the switchover.  It is particularly powerful when the model requires multiple versions where the population of actuals data varies by version. The most common use of this function is in setting up quarterly forecasts where data actualises at different points in the financial year depending on the version in use.

Functions

Anaplan model builders have access to a library of Excel like functions. These can be combined to create anything from simple calculations such as net sales or gross profit to complex financial operations and extended algorithmic arguments. This flexibility allows the user to build custom data flows for any number of business processes. Lookup and aggregation functions used in combination with mapping tables will be familiar to Excel users and will be intuitive to those accustomed to modelling in other platforms too.

How is Anaplan used?

User Experience

It is from within the user experience, or UX, that end users interact and update the model. The user experience is often to referred to as the app due it use of linked pages, tables and charts. The app experience is reminiscent of a web browser where users navigate the various pages using a table of contents, buttons and hyperlink like connections. As a result the UX when designed well can be very intuitive allowing a wide selection if users to easily interact with the model.

Pages

The UX consists of a collection of pages on to which tables, charts and inputs are placed for users to interact with. These structures are directly linked back to the underlying model and are updated in real time. A drag and drop interface allows app page builders to layer in these various features and a basic working app can built very quickly. This is ideal when end users are new to Anaplan as it allows app designers and page builders to test various page configurations quickly with minimum set up time.

Charts

The ability to display data visually is an essential requirement of any planning platform if the final user is to extract maximum value from the reporting. The Anaplan UX therefore contains a wide selection of chart types from simple line, pie and bar charts to waterfall, dot, scatter and even Gantt charts. This allows user to build attractive visuals of the data within an intuitive and recognisable user interface.

How are Anaplan models structured?

Anaplan structures such as tables and lists exist within and interconnected network. Tables reference each other and lists form the basis of aggregation and look up formulae. This network structure confers a degree of robustness that is very difficult to disrupt. As a result Anaplan models are very stable. Items cannot be deleted or moved if they are referenced by other items in the model. It is almost impossible to disable a model by incorrectly deleting items that are central to its workings if they are referenced by other structures in the model.

Summary of Key Anaplan features

Anaplan is a multidimensional planning platform that can be leveraged to support the translation of strategy into actionable plans across the whole organisation. It brings together otherwise disparate organisational functions such as finance, HR, sales and supply chain into a connected whole.

Hierarchies are utilised to effectively align models to organisational structures, versions to build out parallel models for comparison and analysis and times settings to effectively match data against the correct periods within any given financial year; past, present or future.

Model designers and builders have access to a toolkit of functions from which to build robust formulas, map data across hierarchies and design efficient data workflows and processes.

Anaplans built in logic and interconnected nature confers a degree of strength and robustness to the underlying model which significantly reduces the incidences of user error and model failure.