Planning MVP
Overview of Planning
Lumel Planning enables organizations to implement structured, collaborative, and data-driven planning processes within their enterprise data environment. It enables organizations to perform budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modeling directly on enterprise data. It adds business value by providing Strategic benefits through Improved forecast accuracy, Faster planning cycles, Cross-functional alignment, Controlled governance, reduced spreadsheet risk, and provides measurable outcomes such as shortened budget cycles, increased forecast reliability, reduced reconciliation effort, and enhanced audit compliance.
It addresses key problem areas such as
Manual spreadsheet dependency
Disconnected planning cycles
Limited forecast visibility
Poor audit traceability
Key Capabilities
Budget planning
Forecast modeling
Variance analysis
Multi-user collaboration
Scenario creation
Model building
Workflow approvals
Data writeback
Working with Planning Sheets
What is a Planning Sheet?
A Planning sheet is a structured data grid used to input, update, and analyze planning data across defined dimensions such as time, department, or account.
Planning sheets enable:
Controlled data entry
Business rule enforcement
Real-time recalculation
Hierarchical data views
Create a Planning Sheet
Select Create Planning Sheet.
Provide a name and select the required dimensions.
Define the time horizon.
Select Save.
Modify Planning Data
Open the required planning sheet.
Enter values directly into editable cells.
Use copy and paste to accelerate data entry.
Select Submit when complete.
Note Cells that are read-only cannot be edited due to security or business rules.
Page 3 – Budgeting and Forecasting
Budget Planning
Budget planning defines expected financial performance for a future period.
To create a budget:
Open the required planning sheet.
Filter to the required fiscal year.
Enter planned values.
Select Submit to save changes.
Forecasting
Forecasting updates projected performance based on actual results and current trends.
To update a forecast:
Open the forecast planning sheet.
Review actual vs. plan variance.
Adjust future periods.
Select Submit.
Scenario Modeling
A scenario is an alternate version of financial data used for comparison.
To create a scenario:
Select Create Scenario.
Choose a base version.
Apply adjustments.
Save the scenario for comparison.
Page 4 – Data Writeback
What is Writeback?
Writeback is the process of saving planning data back to the enterprise data model or connected system.
Writeback ensures:
Data consistency
Centralized storage
Auditability
Submit Data for Writeback
Complete data entry in the planning sheet.
Select Submit.
Confirm in the Submit dialog.
Wait for confirmation.
If validation errors appear:
Review highlighted cells.
Correct invalid entries.
Select Submit again.
Page 5 – Approvals and Workflow
Approval Workflow
An approval workflow is a structured process that routes planning data for review and authorization.
Submit for Approval
Complete data entry.
Select Submit for Approval.
Confirm in the Submit for Approval dialog.
Approve or Reject Data
If you are an approver:
Open the assigned planning sheet.
Review submitted values.
Select Approve or Reject.
Provide comments in the Comments dialog.
Tip Add comments to improve transparency and collaboration.
Page 6 – Best Practices
Data Accuracy
Validate totals before submission.
Review variances against prior periods.
Avoid manual overrides unless necessary.
Collaboration
Submit on time to avoid workflow delays.
Provide clear comments when rejecting.
Use scenarios instead of overwriting base plans.
Performance Optimization
Filter data before large updates.
Avoid unnecessary recalculations.
Use structured templates.
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