Interim Step in Value Driver Tree

The Interim Step feature indicates that a specific metric is being used as an intermediate step in the calculation process to reach a final business outcome. As a result, it is not necessary to post the result for that particular metric in the system at the end of the calculation. This reduces redundant data and enhances overall performance.

The Interim Step feature eliminates the need to post results for that metric in the system. This reduces redundant data stored in the system and enhances overall performance. Interim Step is particularly valuable in Value Driver Trees with multiple calculation layers where intermediate results serve only to build up to final metrics. The feature optimizes storage, improves calculation performance, and reduces unnecessary data volume while maintaining complete calculation logic.

Interim Step Purpose

• Intermediate Calculations - Interim Step identifies metrics used as intermediate steps in the calculation process, serving as building blocks to reach the final business outcome.

• No Result Posting - Metrics designated as Interim Steps do not post their results to the system at the end of calculation, since they are not the final outcome.

• Calculation Flow - Interim Step metrics are used within the Value Driver Tree to build up to final metrics, forming part of the calculation logic without being stored as final results.

Performance Benefits

• Redundant Data Reduction - By not posting intermediate calculation results, Interim Step reduces redundant data stored in the system.

• Performance Enhancement - Reducing the volume of data posted to the system enhances overall calculation performance, particularly for complex Value Driver Trees with multiple calculation layers.

• Storage Optimization - Eliminating unnecessary intermediate result storage optimizes system resources and database usage.

When to Use Interim Step

• Multi-Layer Calculations - Use Interim Step for metrics that serve as intermediate calculations in multi-layer Value Driver Trees where only the final result needs to be stored.

• Temporary Calculations - Apply Interim Step to metrics that perform temporary calculations needed to derive final metrics but have no standalone reporting value.

• Performance Optimization - Designate metrics as Interim Steps when dealing with large datasets where posting intermediate results would create unnecessary data volume.

Configuring Interim Step

To configure a metric as an Interim Step in a Value Driver Tree:

1. Navigate to the Value Driver Tree
2. Select the metric that serves as an intermediate calculation step
3. Configure the metric as an Interim Step to prevent posting results to the system
4. The metric will be used in the calculation process but its result will not be stored

Use Cases

• Revenue Build-Up Calculations - Use Interim Step for intermediate metrics like "Units x Price" when the final needed metric is "Total Revenue" - the intermediate multiplication result doesn't need to be stored.

• Multi-Step Profitability Analysis - Apply Interim Step to intermediate margin calculations when building up to final profitability metrics, reducing stored data while maintaining calculation logic.

• Complex Budget Formulas - Designate temporary calculation metrics as Interim Steps in budget Value Driver Trees where multiple calculation layers build to final budget values.

• Performance-Critical VDTs - Use Interim Step in performance-critical Value Driver Trees processing large volumes of data to optimize calculation speed and reduce system load.