What is a Scenario?

In Catalyst, a scenario serves as a pivotal element, providing a period-based classification that organizes and orders financial and profitability data within predefined time intervals or 12 month blocks. Understanding scenarios is crucial as they play a fundamental role in shaping how financial information is structured, analyzed, and utilized within the Catalyst platform. When first getting started, you'll likely already have a few scenarios that we set up for you, but you're welcome to create more as needed.

Definition and Importance in Catalyst

• A scenario, in the context of Catalyst, acts as a lens through which financial and profitability data is viewed and managed. It serves as a classification mechanism, allowing users to group and order data based on twelve sequential periods or months. The importance of scenarios lies in their ability to facilitate meaningful analysis and decision-making by organizing data into manageable and relevant segments.
• Scenarios in Catalyst enable users to create distinct classifications such as Actuals, Plans, Forecasts, and Budgets. Each scenario represents a unique perspective on the financial landscape, allowing users to explore different aspects of their organization's performance. This flexibility is invaluable for strategic planning, performance evaluation, and scenario-based forecasting.

Examples (Actuals, Plans, Forecasts, Budgets, TTMs)

1. Actuals
   • Represents historical financial and profitability data.
   • Provides a baseline for understanding past performance.
2. Plans
   • Reflects the organization's strategic objectives and planned financial outcomes.
   • Serves as a roadmap for achieving financial goals.
3. Forecasts
   • Anticipates future financial trends based on current data and assumptions.
   • Enables proactive decision-making and risk management.
4. Budgets
   • Sets financial targets and allocates resources for a specific period.
   • Guides financial planning and resource allocation.
5. TTM (Twelve-Trailing Months)
   • Examines the financial performance over the most recent twelve months.
   • Offers a rolling view of the organization's financial health.

For a comprehensive understanding of Catalyst terminology related to scenarios and other features, refer to our Catalyst Glossary available here. The glossary provides detailed definitions, explanations, and insights into Catalyst-specific terms, ensuring clarity and consistency in your usage of the platform.

Creating a New Scenario

Creating a new scenario in Catalyst is easy and allows you to tailor your financial data to specific perspectives and timeframes. This section guides you through the process, emphasizing the importance of being conservative and providing detailed steps for adding a new scenario from the Manage Scenario screen.

Importance of Being Conservative

When adding new scenarios, it's essential to exercise conservatism. Each active scenario dataset undergoes processing during scheduled jobs in the Catalyst system. The more scenarios you introduce, the longer the processing time required. Being conservative ensures optimal system performance and efficient processing of financial and profitability data.

How to Add a New Scenario

Follow these steps to add a new scenario seamlessly:

1. Navigate to the Manage Scenario Screen
   • Access the Manage Scenario screen within Catalyst.
     
     
     
     
2. Select the "Add Scenario" Button
   • Located at the bottom right of the page, click the "Add Scenario" button to initiate the creation process.
     
     
     
     
3. Scenario Details Setup
   • Upon selecting "Add Scenario," you'll be directed to a blank Scenario Details tab. Here, you'll configure specific details for the new scenario.
     
     
     
     

     Scenario Creation Details	Definition
     Scenario Description (Long and Short)	Provide both a long and short description to convey the purpose and content of the scenario effectively.
     Scenario Type	Choose the scenario type, such as Actuals, Budget, Forecast, or any other relevant classification.
     Fiscal Year	Specify the fiscal year to which the scenario applies, defining the time boundaries for the data.
     Sort Order	Determine the order in which the scenario will be displayed on the Manage Scenarios page and within Excel Cube files Pivot Tables.
     Scenario Availability	Designate tools where this scenario can be viewed, such as Cubes or Reports.
     Scenario Refresh Frequency	Choose how often this scenario will be refreshed by Catalyst.
     Locked or Unlocked	Decide whether to initially lock planning for all periods within the scenario.

4. Save

   • Once you've entered and selected your options, click "Save" at the bottom of the screen to confirm and save your scenario details.

Note: The system will take approximately 5 minutes to build the scenario before it becomes available in the planning screens. If the new scenario is made available in Cubes and Reports, a full reprocess of the data will be required before it is represented in Catalyst.

Managing Scenarios

Effectively handling scenarios is important for maintaining an accurate view of your financial landscape in Catalyst. If you need to make changes or duplicate a scenario, you can do so here. This section offers a straightforward, step-by-step guide for managing scenarios, focusing on key details for seamless financial planning and analysis.

Step-by-Step Scenario Management Guide

Follow these steps to navigate the scenario management process:

1. Navigate to the Administration Tab
   • Access the Administration tab within Catalyst.
     
     
     
     
2. Select the "Scenario" Tab under Site Management
   • Click on the "Scenario" tab under the Site Management heading.
     
     
     
     
3. Access the Manage Scenario Screen
   • Once in the Manage Scenario screen, explore the various tools and options available for effective scenario management.

Scenario Management Details

Managing scenario details involves overseeing critical aspects that define how a scenario functions within Catalyst. Key details include:

Example: Illustration of Locking a Scenario During a Budget Cycle

Consider a scenario where an administrator needs to lock a scenario during a budget cycle to prevent edits after a designated cutoff date. By choosing to lock scenarios through period 12, for instance, the entire scenario becomes locked and adjustments are restricted. The scenario can then be reopened for adjustments after a thorough review, providing a structured approach to financial planning cycles.

This guide provides you with the knowledge to navigate scenarios effectively in Catalyst. Whether grasping the basics or mastering advanced techniques, empower yourself for informed decision-making and optimized financial planning. For more assistance, explore additional resources in our Catalyst Help Center.