Case Dimensions
Case Dimensions allow you to specify a set of related cases, including case specific constant parameters and overlays by case, for all cases, or both. You may want to create a single case dimension for a set of scenarios such as base case, best case, and worst case. Or, you might want to create multiple case dimensions that are more specific:
| Type | Example cases |
|---|---|
| Outlook | Base Case, Best Case, Worst Case |
| Revenue Growth | 10%,15%,20%,30% |
| Loan Interest Rate | 5.25%, 5.75%, 6.00% |
| Days Payable Outstanding | 35 Days, 40 Days, 45 Days |
| Financing | Debt, Equity, Growth |
Any of the cases within a case dimension can be compared side-by-side (see Frameworks for more information). Additionally, you can create a Scenario, made up of any combination of the individual cases.
Example: Using the table above, you might create a Scenario with Best Case Outlook, 20% Revenue Growth, 6.00% Loan Interest, 35 Days of Receivables, and Equity Financing.
Creating a Case Dimension
- Go to the Model Dimensions group and
- Type in a title for the case dimension (e.g. Scenario).
- Specify the Title Format to be used in reports and overlays.
Adding Cases
- Notice there is a single case titled "Case 1" by default. Click it and re-title it as necessary (e.g. Base Case).
- Add another case by selecting on the panel menu and select . A new case will be added, allowing you to re-title it.
Adding constant parameters (optional)
- Add a parameter by selecting on the panel menu and select from the following options:
- Monetary Parameter
- Percent Parameter
- Annual Rate Parameter
- Period Parameter
- Periods Parameter
- Day Parameter
- Days Parameter
- Other Parameter
- <user defined name> Parameter
- Title the parameter, and enter a value for each of the cases you created earlier.
Adding overlays (optional)
Overlays can be included as part of the dimension allowing you to create case-specific, or case-independent layers. Each Case can have an overlay associated with it if the dimension is configured to include "An overlay per case"(An overlay per case, and an overlay for all cases).
An overlay per case - This is usually the best selection for most situations. Each case automatically creates an overlay for case specific layers. The first case (the one organized furthest to the left) becomes the default case. To change the position of a case, go to the panel menu and click under Edit and select either (moves case to the left) or (moves case to the right). If there are multiple cases, you will also have the option to move (all the way to the left) or (all the way to the right).
Best Practice: If you only want a case to be used in certain situations, consider naming the first case "Off" so that it becomes the default. If you are creating a set of cases for base, best, and worst, make base the default.
One overlay - This creates a case-independent overlay. The most common usage for this type of overlay is for Actual Data. In fact the Actual Dimension is a special case, for which the software provides a quick way to add it to your model.
If the Kind of Overlays is set to anything but , the Overlay end date and Overlay Priority parameters will appear, allowing you to specify the time range of the case dimension and its layer priority.
The Default Case
Notice that as you add cases to the dimension that the cases appear in columns, each new case being added to the right. The case that is furthest to the left is the Default Case In a Case Dimension, the case furthest to the left..
Specifying the Default Case
The default case can be specified by rearranging the order of the cases. To change the position of a case, go to the panel menu and click under Edit and select either (moves case to the left) or (moves case to the right). If there are multiple cases, you will also have the option to move (all the way to the left) or (all the way to the right)..
The Default Case for a dimension is important when the in Model Parametersis set to . If no default scenario is selected, the Default Case will be used in any report whose Framework does not explicitly specify the case to be used.