SAP IBP Configuration - Create a Helper Key Figure in SAP IBP

[Peng_Lu]

In SAP IBP, a helper key figure is a type of key figure used to support calculations and data aggregation within the planning process. It often serves as an intermediate step in more complex calculations, helping to simplify and organize the data manipulation required for accurate planning and forecasting.

For example, if you have multiple key figures representing different metrics (like sales volume, revenue, and costs), a helper key figure can be used to aggregate these metrics at a specific planning level, such as by product or region.

This makes it easier to perform further calculations or generate summary reports.

In this article, in order to demostrate helper key figure feature, the following key figures will be created.

HCAPADEMAND: Helper Key Figure, as an intermediate step in calculations, HCAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES = CAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES

CAPADEMANDUTILPCT: Calculated Key Figure, CAPADEMANDUTILPCT@REQUEST = HCAPADEMAND@REQUEST / CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST

1. Create the HCAPADEMAND helper key figure at the REQUEST planning level so it is calculated as the sum of the same key figure at the PERLOCRES level.

a. On the SAP Fiori launchpad home page, in the Model Configuration group, choose the Planning Areas Model Configuration tile, and then choose your planning area ID.

b. Go to the Key Figures tab and Click New and then Helper Key Figure.

c. In the Key Figure ID field, enter HCAPADEMAND, Name and Description. 

d. In the Calculation Definition field, choose REQUEST in the dropdown list and in the field below HCAPADEMAND@REQUEST field, enter the calculation definition SUM("HCAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES").

e. Choose Inputs and verify that the HCAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES is selected as input and the Calculated appears in the Value Used.

2. Add a new calculation definition to the HCAPADEMAND key figure that you just created, so the PERLOCRES planning level is equal to CAPADEMAND at the same planning level.

a. Choose Add Calculation Definition and in the field to the right of HCAPADEMAND field, choose @PERLOCRES as the base planning level in the dropdown list. In the field below, enter the calculation definition "CAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES".

So that, HCAPADEMAND at PERLOCRES planning level is equal to CAPADEMAND.

b. Choose Validate and then choose Inputs. Verify that the CAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES is a direct input and that the Value Used is Calculated and choose OK.

CAPADEMAND@PERLOCRES is a calculated key figure and is defined as SUM("CAPADEMAND@PERPRODLOCRES").

c. Choose Save.

3. Create the CAPADEMANDUTILPCT key figure, using Utilization Pct as the name and description. Use the PERLOCRES Base Planning Level, and create a calculation on request level as HCAPADEMAND / CAPASUPPLY.

a. Create the CAPADEMANDUTILPCT key figure with the value below.

• Key Figure ID: CAPADEMANDUTILPCT
• Base Planning Level: PERLOCRES
• Name: Utilization Pct
• Stored and Calculated: Calculated

b. In the field below CAPADEMANDUTILPCT@REQUEST field, enter the calculation definition IF(ISNULL("CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST") OR "CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST" = 0 , 0, "HCAPADEMAND@REQUEST" / "CAPASUPPLY@REQUEST").
ISNULL function checks and replaces the NULL values. This is done to avoid errors associated with the division by zero.

c. Choose Validate and Inputs

d. Choose Save and Activate planning area.

4. Validate the results in the Planner Workspace.

a. Choose Planner Workspaces app in the General Planner group and Open the workspace 300_49(SAP IBP Configuration - Disaggregation Methods in SAP IBP).

b. Create new planning view with the following setting.

Name: Help key figure validation

Time Level: Monthly; Current Month to Month + 12

Attributes: Location ID, Resource ID

Key Figures: Capacity Limit, Unconstrained Load, Utilization Pct

c. Utilization Pct is a ratio, equal to Unconstrained Load / Capital Limit, that is calculated with Helper key figure, HCAPADEMAND.