Mature driver-based planning models are an essential component of effective rolling forecast processes in complex, global organizations. They provide the foundation for profitable growth by enabling strategy and cost structures to quickly self adjust to changing business objectives and market conditions.
The future is unpredictable, the current business environment is harsh, competition is fierce. In these times of change, modern FP&A is both exciting and challenging. It is exciting because it utilises better and more sophisticated tools than previously, can embrace automation and the incredible power of online collaboration. However, it is difficult because old finance management practices are still alive: they are inadequate for the modern world.
It’s the middle of the year and it’s time to take charge of your “data destiny” before the budgeting and planning season starts. What exactly is your data destiny? No, it’s not the new Netrunner card game where the objective is to control all the data in the Universe.
As promised in the previous article, let us go deeper into the relationship between FP&A and Data management (DM) and see how Data management enriches your FP&A role and successes.
We only need to look at the evolution of the mobile phone to understand why the role of the FP&A business partner has changed. In 2000, I began my career in FP&A as an analyst at Silicon Graphics, the same year that the iconic Nokia 6210 was launched. Back then the functionality of the mobile phone was limited to voice calls and simple text messages.
The inaugural London FP&A Circle meeting took place less than two weeks following the UK vote for Brexit. In this dramatically transformed business environment the role of FP&A is more important than ever in helping to manage the value of the company. In undertaking this task, the analytical maturity of the company is very important.