Maximize or minimize a target value

Direction-based optimization adjusts one or more data input measures to maximize or minimize the selected objective measure while satisfying the defined constraints.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, review the Prerequisites section for Optimize to understand the initial setup requirements.

Maximize a calculated field

To demonstrate direction-based optimization, you will maximize the calculated field - Profit forecast by optimizing independent variables - Revenue Forecast, Purchase Forecast, Advertising Forecast, and Transport Forecast.

You can optimize values at any hierarchy level. In this example, you will optimize at the total level. When Optimize runs on a parent cell, it recalculates the required change and distributes the updated value to the underlying editable child cells.

1. Select the target cell in the calculated measure. In the Planning ribbon, select Optimize. In this example, select the target cell from the Profit Forecast measure.

1. To achieve direction-based optimization,

• Set Objective to Maximize to achieve the highest possible value. For example, maximize revenue, profit, or return on investment.

• Set Objective to Minimize to achieve the lowest possible value. For example, minimize cost, expenses, or inventory holding costs. In this example, the Objective is set to Maximize to arrive at the maximum Profit Forecast.

1. Select the data input or forecast measures (independent variables) to optimize from Variables to Update. In this case, Optimize adjusts the Revenue Forecast, Purchase Forecast, Advertising Forecast, and Transport Forecast to maximize the Profit Forecast. Select Next.

1. Select Add Constraint to define the minimum and maximum limits for the data input measure. For more information, see Configure optimization thresholds.

Adding constraints is optional. Directly select Run to skip defining constraints; however, as a best practice, explicitly specify constraints for all the independent measures used in Optimize.

1. Choose the measure to apply the constraint from Apply to Variable. Select Range for the Set Type option. Enter the minimum and maximum optimization thresholds.

1. Select Apply. Select Add to specify additional constraints. Select Run after you define all the constraints.

1. Review the adjusted values and select Apply to update the values of the independent measures with the optimized values. For more information about Optimize parameters, see Adjust parameters to achieve targets.

1. Optimize increases the Profit Forecast to 50.46m from 43.92m after adjusting independent measures within the specified constraints. Since you applied Optimize on a total value, the update is cascaded to all the related child dimensions.

Optimize will not change the values of locked cells.