Common Extensions

Custom planning methods, external integrations, and configure vs. extend decisions

Module 4Admin & Extensions20 min
📖 Tell When to Extend IFP is a configurable foundation — when configuration covers the need vs. when an extension is required.
👁 Show Instructor Demo Facilitator walks through the steps to create a custom planning method (Headcount × Rate) in a pre-built example.
✅ Do Extension Design Looking at FictoCorp's requirements, identify 2 scenarios that would require an extension vs. 2 that can be addressed through configuration.

Configure vs. Extend

ScenarioApproach
Need a new planning methodExtend — add to Planning Methods list, configure SYS module, add line items, update LISS
Need basic allocationsConfigure — built in out of the box
Need sophisticated allocations (waterfalls, multi-step)Extend to Profitability application — integrates with IFP
Need more than 8 dimensionsBespoke model build — cannot configure within IFP hard limit
Need CapEx by departmentExtend — entity-to-dept mapping in General Admin for simple cases
Need employee-level HC detailExtend to OWP or WFB — both integrate natively with IFP HC
Need external revenue planningConfigure — 'In another model → load to FP' option + DAT Margin Planning Import module

Creating a Custom Planning Method: Headcount × Rate

This example creates a method that drives expense from HC data — eliminating double-entry for headcount-driven expenses.

Anaplan model builder — Planning Methods list showing all built-in methods including Amount Growth, Direct Input, Prior Run Rate, Units x Rate, Planned in CapEx, Planned in Headcount and others
Planning Methods list module — all built-in planning methods; new custom methods are added here first, then wired to the SYS by Planning Methods module and the appropriate input calculation module
  1. Add to Planning Methods list — create new entry with unique code
  2. Configure in SYS by Planning Methods — set business area (expense/margin/BS), add description (shown as context help to users)
  3. Add line items to input module:
    • Boolean "Is Method in Use?" — controls when calculation runs
    • Headcount Amount — formula: actuals → from DAT module; forecast → from HC integration module
    • Rate per Head — formula scope = Actuals version (historical calculated; forecast manually entered)
    • Adjustment — always manual input
    • Final Amount — if not in use → 0; if actuals → actual GL amount; else → HC × Rate + Adjustment
  4. Apply DCA — hide line items from users when method isn't applicable to the account
  5. Update LISS — map which line items display to users and which are for the forecast method
  6. Assign to accounts — change the account's method in FIN – IS – Manage Planning Methods
  7. Add to Final Amount — include the new method's output in the Final Amount formula
💡 Final Amount Is The Only Output

The Final Amount line item is the only value pulled into downstream modules. All other calculation line items exist only for intermediate computation and don't need summarization turned on.

External Integration Patterns

IntegrationDAT ModulePattern
OWP (Operational Workforce Planning)DAT Headcount Planning ImportOWP → ADO → DAT module → FP calculations
Consensus Margin Planning (CMP)DAT Margin Planning ImportCMP → ADO → DAT module → FP calculations
External CapEx systemDAT Capex IS + BS Planning ImportExternal → ADO → 2 DAT modules → FP calculations
Project Planning (PCP)DAT Project Planning ImportPCP → ADO → DAT module → FP calculations
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