There are many terms connected with FP&A, such as “unstructured analysis,” “predictive analytics,” and “machine learning". Often very little detail on how they can be used in everyday life. Sure, there is an odd example such as how the sales of one product in a supermarket are related to another based on their location. But what do these technologies actually do, and how can they help management in today’s fast-moving, complex business environment?
FP&A Predictive Analytics and Scenario Planning represent a truly powerful force for dealing with uncertainty, complexity, and risk. Watch the full recording of the UK&Ireland Board to learn more about the key factors that are needed for the successful implementation of Predictive Planning and Scenario Planning.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to revise their strategies and budgets in preparation for the "new normal". In times of such unprecedented uncertainty, complexity and risk, Scenario Planning and Predictive Planning processes came to the forefront of the management teams and FP&A professionals.
Analysis is only as good as the decisions that result from it. In the uncertain business environment, organisations that provide people with the intelligence to make better decisions will outperform their competitors.
Organisations are increasingly adopting data-driven approaches to decision-making. This is natural, given the amount of data we now have on hand. All-in-all, data-driven is now perceived as the right way to do business. If you're doing "data-driven decision making," you're doing it right. But are you really?
FP&A Transformation has been taking place for some time, with teams moving from the Traditional FP&A Model to the extended FP&A (xP&A) Model. This represents a move from scheduled to on-demand planning, from one scenario to multiple scenarios and from finance to entire company planning.