What is essential for the effective use of key figures in planning?

The effective use of key figures in planning hinges on their connection to specific master data. Linking key figures to master data ensures that they are defined in the context of relevant business entities, such as products, customers, or locations. This relationship allows the planning process to utilize the key figures accurately, reflecting the characteristics and behaviors of the associated master data.

For instance, if a key figure represents sales forecasts, it must be associated with product master data to accurately reflect which products are being analyzed and to derive insights specific to them. This linkage also facilitates advanced analysis and decision-making within the IBP tool by ensuring that all relevant dimensions are considered.

In contrast, making all key figures editable by every user can lead to inconsistencies and errors in planning, while limiting key figures to only represent historical data restricts their usefulness for forecasting and scenario planning. Furthermore, excluding key figures from forecast calculations would negate their purpose in the planning context. Thus, the integration of key figures with master data is crucial for meaningful planning and analysis in SAP Integrated Business Planning.