This article summarises the presentations and discussions during the recent Digital FP&A Circle on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have reduced the process burden, increased the speed of insights, and ultimately supported improved decision-making at Konica Minolta and Amazon.

Scenario planning came to the forefront and even these had to be quick, flexible, and adaptable. Our six panel members took us through how they had to adapt and change system and processes for the “New Normal”.

2020 has been a turbulent year and few departments have felt this as much as FP&A. We have been looked to as saviours of the company, guardians of cash, and stewards of planning, re-planning, and some more planning. It should also give cause to reflections on how we can improve and be ready for what comes next. 

A Global FP&A Trends Webinar that was held on the 10th November 2020 focused on why predictive planning is so important, especially in the uncertain times that we are living in.

On October 22nd, 2020 the Global FP&A Trends group hosted another of its insightful webinars, putting in the spotlight the theme of Connected and Collaborative FP&A with its multiple facets – predictive planning, analytics supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.

The Second Digital North American FP&A Board was held on the 27th of October 2020. We had five great presentations on the subject of “Building Winning FP&A Teams”, delivered by a truly international board panel based in the US, Canada and Europe.