1. User's Guide
  2. Working with Standard Profitability and Cost Management Applications
  3. Managing Standard Profitability Allocations
  4. Tracing Allocations
  5. Tracing Allocation Flow

Tracing Allocation Flow

The Allocation flow displays the source and destination intersections that have an indirect relationship, rather than a direct assignment, to the selected intersection. For example, you may have values from Stage 1 allocated to Stage 3, without any intermediate steps. By following the flow of each allocation, you can examine the contributions from the source at each step, to understand the impact of an allocation on its ultimate source or destination.


Allocation Flow diagram shows the source and destination intersections that have an indirect relationship.

Direct allocation data is used to calculate the percentage for each step along the flow using the following formulas:

  • For drilling forward:

    %= (ASSG CostReceivedPrior(orIntra)Stage / SRC NetCostForAsignment) * SRC %

  • For drilling backward:

    % = (ASSG CostReceivedPrior(orIntra)Stage / DEST NetCostForAssignment) * DEST %

For each stage, the percentage of each allocation contributing to the next intersection is displayed, from highest to lowest. The percentages displayed for a stage will not equal 100% if there are idle costs on an intersection.

To trace allocation flow:

  1. Ensure all allocation scripts have been run. See Calculating Direct Allocation Data.
  2. In an open model, from Task Areas, select Manage Allocations, then Trace Allocations.

    The Traceability screen is displayed.

  3. Select the POV and Layer, then click Go Go icon.
  4. Under Starting Point, select Prefs to choose the preferences for the information to be traced:

    • Select Allocation Flow to display the source and destination intersections that have an indirect relationship, rather than a direct assignment, to the selected intersection.

    • Select a display mode for the map:

      • Display Alias

      • Display Name

        Note:

        If Display Alias is selected, and no alias has been set, the Display Name is shown in square brackets.

  5. Under Starting Point, select the Stage to be viewed.
  6. For each dimension, click Selector Selector Button to choose the member for the intersection at which you want to begin tracing. You must select the lowest level member in order to display the allocation.

    Select Allocation Flow to view the source and destination intersections that have an indirect relationship, rather than a direct assignment, to the selected intersection.
  7. Click Trace Trace icon to begin mapping the financial flow.

    Note:

    Depending on the number of dimensions in the model stage, you may need to stretch the window to see the Trace button on the far right side of the task bar.

    The selected intersection is displayed on the screen, showing the name of the stage, and the members selected for each dimension in the intersection. The Properties for the starting point are displayed at the bottom of the screen.


    The selected intersection is displayed, and you can expand the plus icon on either side of the icon to follow the flow of allocations forward or backward in the model.
  8. Optional: On the intersection header, select the Trace Allocation Context Menu Trace Allocation Context Menu, and then select the maximum number of nodes you want to display when the selected intersection is expanded (3, 5, 10 or 20). You can repeat this selection on any intersection.
  9. Click the intersection to highlight the source node.

    Note:

    Expand Plus Sign Icon is only displayed on the intersection after it has been selected.

  10. Under Properties, review the Source Detail that pertains to the selected intersection.

    • Source lists all dimension members selected for the starting point.

    • Net Cost For Assignment

    • Idle Cost, if any.

    • Cost Assigned to the starting point.

    • Total Driver Value

    • OverDriven, if any

    • Standard Rate, if any

  11. Highlight the next intersection, and click expand Plus Sign Icon to view the incoming or outgoing allocations for the selected intersection. You can navigate either upstream or downstream by expanding the nodes on either side of the intersection.

    The intersections that contribute to, or receive value from, the starting point show the stage and associated members. The percentage for each allocation is displayed, from highest to lowest. If there are idle costs on an intersection, the total percentage for the stage will not equal 100%.

    Note:

    You can drag the entire flow diagram to position it for a more effective view. Depending on the number of dimensions in the model stage, you may have to stretch or scroll the window to see the Trace button on the far right side of the task bar.

  12. Double-click the stage header to expand and view the intersections that are included in the allocation. The source and destination intersections are highlighted.
  13. Double-click any intersection to view its associated details in the Properties pane.

    The following details are displayed:

    • Under Source Detail:

      • Source displays the dimension members included in the intersection from which the value has been contributed

      • Net Cost For Assignment

      • Idle Cost, if any

      • Cost Assigned

      • Total Driver Value

      • OverDriven, if any

      • Standard Rate, if any

    • Under Allocation Detail:

      • Amount of the allocation

      • Driver Name

      • Driver Value

    • Under Destination Detail:

      • Destination displays the dimension members included in the intersection to which the value is allocated

      • Cost Received

      • Cost Input

      • Net Cost For Assignment

  14. Optional: Click expand Plus Sign Icon to follow the allocations throughout the model.