Changes to the dimension structure do not require major configuration effort

Description

Changes to the dimension structure in Corporate Performance Management (CPM) software should be effortless and manageable without requiring extensive engineering. This includes adding and deleting dimensions, adding dimension members, removing dimensions members, and renaming dimensions.

Example Use Case

Scenario: A retail company uses CPM software to forecast unit sales for specific products and kits. They decide to expand into a subscription model where they will send specific products each month to the subscriber. This requires them to add a Customer dimension.

Solution: The CPM software the company uses allows for easy addition of the Customer dimensions without a months-long consulting engagement. This allows them to plan for this business expansion immediately and reliably without a major delay, leading to quicker time to profit.

Considerations

We include this because some systems, with the addition or deletion of a dimension, will cease to function. This is because certain sheets, formulas, and business rules directly reference them (including them or excluding them) and do not update themselves when dimensions are changed. This causes them to reference something that doesn't exist. Due to this, changing dimensions in these type of CPM environments requires careful planning and consulting support.

More modern products will automatically adjust when dimensions are added, edited, or deleted. Sheets will continue to work when a new dimension is introduced, allowing the user to decide whether or not to include it in their workspace.

Questions to Ask a Vendor

• Adding a Dimension: We might add a new dimension next year. What will happen to the existing model when we do? (the vendor may suggest that you add placeholder dimensions now)
• Adding Dimension Members (values): If we add new products or product subcategories to our Product dimension, will it automatically be considering in our existing sheets and reports?
• Consulting Support: With regard to dimensions, when will we need consulting support when manipulating them?