Defining Forecast Elements

To define forecast names, use the Forecast Names (RSF_FCAST_ID) component. To define forecast types, use the Forecast Type (RSF_FCAST_TYPE) component. To define revenue types, use the Revenue Type (RSF_REV_TYPE) component.

This topic discusses how to:

  • Define forecast names.

  • Define forecast types.

  • Define revenue types.

Page Name

Definition Name

Usage

Forecast Name Page

RSF_FCAST_ID

Define forecast names.

Forecast Type Page

RSF_FCAST_TYPE

Define forecast types, which are user-defined classifications.

Revenue Type Page

RSF_REV_TYPE

Define revenue types.

Use the Forecast Name page (RSF_FCAST_ID) to define forecast names.

Navigation:

Set Up CRM > Product Related > Sales > Forecast > Forecast Names > Forecast Name

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Forecast Name page.

 Forecast Name page

Field or Control

Description

Expected Forecast Date

Enter the date on which sales users can use the forecast name to generate a forecast.

For example, suppose that the current date is May 1, 2009, and you are setting up a forecast name called Freezers:June for a forecast that will occur in June 2009. You do not want to make this forecast name available until June 2009, so you would enter an expected forecast date of June 1, 2009.

Forecast Thru Date (forecast-through date)

Enter the ending date for forecasting.

For example, suppose you are going to stop selling a product at the end of 2009. You would establish a forecast name with a forecast-through date of December 31, 2009. Sales users cannot use the forecast name to generate a forecast for the product for any time frames that begin after December 31, 2009.

The system generates a list of possible forecasts for a forecast name when there are time frame periods defined. For example, suppose you enter an expected forecast date of July 1, 2009, and a forecast-through date of September 30, 2009. The system builds a list of possible forecasts using that forecast name and the following time frames:

  • July, August, and September 2009 (if you use monthly time frames).

  • Third quarter 2009 (if you use quarterly time frames).

  • 2009 (if you use yearly time frames).

The system displays the list of possible forecasts on the Search My Forecasts and Search Rollup Forecasts components.

See Calendar Options Page.

Use the Forecast Type page (RSF_FCAST_TYPE) to define forecast types, which are user-defined classifications.

Navigation:

Set Up CRM > Product Related > Sales > Forecast > Forecast Types > Forecast Type

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Forecast Type page.

 Forecast Type page

Use forecast types to categorize opportunity forecast revenue activity according to the business needs. For example, you might define forecast types of Adjusted, Confirmed, Committed, and Open. Forecast types are not predefined; typically, they vary considerably for different kinds of businesses.

Field or Control

Description

Available on Opportunity

Select to make the forecast type available on the opportunity pages where you define and update opportunities.

When this check box is deselected, the forecast type is available only on forecast pages, where it is typically used to categorize types of adjustment activities.

Use the Revenue Type page (RSF_REV_TYPE) to define revenue types.

Navigation:

Set Up CRM > Product Related > Sales > Forecast > Revenue Types > Revenue Type

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Revenue Type page.

 Revenue Type page

Field or Control

Description

Revenue Dimension 1 and Revenue Dimension 2

Revenue dimensions provide a mechanism for consolidating revenue types to forecast revenue analysis. When many revenue types exist, you can group them by using revenue dimensions.

For example, one dimension might be the type of revenue (for example, New, Upsell, or Repeat) and the other dimension might be the type of product or service (for example, License, Warranty, or Maintenance).

  • If the revenue type ID is New License, you might have dimensions of New Revenue and License.

  • If the revenue type ID is Warranty Add On, you might have the dimensions of Upsell and Warranty.

  • If the revenue type is Renew License, you might have the dimensions of Repeat Revenue and License.

When reviewing forecasts, you can generate subtotals for revenue types and revenue dimensions.