Configuring variability exceptions

By default, Axiom calculates fixed versus variable percentages for a cost category based on whether its component costs have been defined as fixed or variable at the account level.

Each dimension version allows you to set variability in four ways:

Cost categories - Sets variability at the broadest level.
Accounts - Overrides variability at the cost category level.
Departments - Overrides variability at the account level.
Variability exceptions - Overrides variability at the cost category, account, and/or department level.

It is even possible to use the exception to "bounce back" variability. For example, let's say your Salaries cost category is fixed (0% variable), but you have a PRN department that is 100% variable. However, the PRN department has a scheduler whose salary is fixed. In this scenario, you can set up a cost category exception by department to return your salaries to fixed.

To configure variability exceptions

From the Enterprise Decision Support home page, in the Cost accounting section, select Modify a cost model or Create a cost model.
The last cost model selected is shown at the top of the page. To change cost models, select another one from the Select cost model drop-down.
Under the Dimension versions, manual statistics, and adjustments section, select Manage dimension versions.
Select the Variability exceptions tab.
To add exceptions, select Add exception under the appropriate section.

Complete any of the following:

Exception Type	Options
Account exceptions by entity	Account - Select the account to override. Entity - Select the entity in which to make the exception. Cost variability % - Enter the override for the calculated cost variance percentage to apply.
Cost behavior exceptions	Cost Category - Select the cost category to override. Department - Select the department in which to make the exception. Cost variability % - Enter the override for the calculated cost variance percentage to apply.
Account exceptions by department	Account - Select the account to override. Department - Select the department in which to make the exception. Cost variability % - Enter the override for the calculated cost variance percentage to apply.

Exception Type

Options

Account exceptions by entity

Account - Select the account to override.

Entity - Select the entity in which to make the exception.

Cost variability % - Enter the override for the calculated cost variance percentage to apply.

Cost behavior exceptions

Cost Category - Select the cost category to override.

Department - Select the department in which to make the exception.

Cost variability % - Enter the override for the calculated cost variance percentage to apply.

Account exceptions by department

Account - Select the account to override.

Department - Select the department in which to make the exception.

Cost variability % - Enter the override for the calculated cost variance percentage to apply.

To cancel your changes, select the cancel icon in the Actions column.
To save your changes, select the save icon in the Actions column.
To delete an exception, click the delete icon in the Actions column.
If you are creating a new model, the next step is to configure your manual statistics. Select Next in the bottom right corner of the page, or select the Manual statistics tab at the top of the page.
If you are modifying an existing cost model, you can continue making changes to other parts of the model, or go directly to processing the cost model if this is your only change.

IMPORTANT: When making any changes to an existing cost model, you must reprocess it in order for the results to reflect the changes.