Volume

Volume block and global volume drivers

Your forecast group can be affected by two different drivers: Global and Forecast Group Volume.

The leadership team defines the Volume Drivers to provide general guidance in terms of overall volume growth. Historical volume statistics flow into the workbook, and they are initially projected based from the Global Volume Drivers.

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The following table describes the rows within the Volume block. Italicized row names in the table indicate rows that are in a collapsible section of the Forecast worksheet.

Row Description
[Volume section statistics]

Reflects historic volume for Actual columns, and computed volume for Forecast columns. The calculation method drives the distribution of the forecast. The forecast method can be:

  • Calendar Days – Reflects the historic volume for Actual columns and the computed volume for Forecast columns. Drop-down drives the distribution of the forecast.

  • Work Days – The number of work days in the period.

  • No Growth
Global Driver Growth Assumption Reflects growth assumption from drivers for Forecast columns. Used in computed Forecast volumes. As you review your volumes, consider how the global driver may affect your forecast group volume.
[statistic] % Change excluding Global Growth

Percent change from one period to the next. For Actual, compares historic volume, for Forecast, compares computed volume. Drop-down selection controls how forecast values are determined. Valid options include:

  • Global Only – Volume ONLY. Uses the global driver inflation but ignores the RFGroup historical growth rate.
  • Last Month – Base forecast on the month immediately prior to the current.
  • Same Month – Base forecast on the same month for the previous year.
  • 3 Month Avg – Base forecast on the monthly average for the last 3 months.
  • 6 Month Avg – Base forecast on the monthly average for the last 6 months.
  • 9 Month Avg – Base forecast on the monthly average for the last 9 months.
  • 12 Month Avg – Base forecast on the monthly average for the last 12 months.
% Adjustment Manual entry adjustment % used to compute total volume.
Amount Adjustment Manual entry amount adjustment used to compute total volume.
Amount Adjustment - Quarterly Quarterly manual entry amount adjustment used to compute total volume. The manually-entered amount is allocated back to individual months in the quarter that are forecast based on days.
Total - [statistic] Total of volume statistic. History for Actual columns; forecast periods are the local statistic multiplied by the sum of the global and input % adjustments plus the amount adjustments.
One Time Adjustment for Forecasted Columns Use for making one-time adjustments to individual forecast periods. Adjustment affects only the specified period and not other future periods.
Total including One Time Adjustments Sum of the Total volume plus the One Time Adjustment.
Prior Forecast Previously saved volume forecast.
Comments (column) The Comments column is the last column in the Forecast worksheet. If there is an input cell in this column for one of the worksheet rows, you use these cells to document your assumptions and reasons for making adjustments.