With technology developing at breakneck speed, it is no wonder that FP&A teams around the world are beginning to capitalise on innovative modern tools. In particular, planning processes have been transformed by the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Predictive Analytics.

When I am asked to explain why Cash is so important, I use the analogy of building your dream home. In order to build that dream home and give it the best chance of standing there for years, it needs solid foundations. Likewise, an organisation needs cash to survive and grow, it needs cash to survive day to day, and without it, an organisation has no foundations and eventually collapses.

Unstable times are putting pressure on our planning process: we need to re-forecast more often to make timely and informed decisions, while at the same time we need to expand our forecasting horizons and look ahead. How can we achieve this?

In this series of blogs, we are looking at the changes that need to occur within an FP&A department in order to cope with the impact of today’s analytic technologies. This blog covers the role of the FP&A Architect.