IBM PLANNING ANALYTICS · MODELLING · REPORTING

Workbench or workbook.
Where you model. Where you plan.

Both belong to IBM Planning Analytics Workspace, but serve different purposes. In the Modeling Workbench, you develop and maintain your data model. In a workbook, you arrange views, input screens and dashboards for everyday work.

The short answer

Workbench: work with cubes, dimensions, rules, processes and chores. Workbook: analyse data, enter plan values and design reports. Here, workbook means a book in PAW. The actions available to you also depend on your permissions.

Read the video summary

Want to create a dimension or edit a TI process? That is a modelling task. To compare figures or enter a plan, you work with the model’s data. Open the Modeling Workbench and the database you need. Work on model objects such as dimensions, cubes, rules and processes here. Open or create a workbook. Combine cube views, charts and selectors into a useful interface. This turns the model into a planning or reporting application.

IN PLANNING ANALYTICS WORKSPACE

Step by step.

01

Identify your task

Want to create a dimension or edit a TI process? That is a modelling task. To compare figures or enter a plan, you work with the model’s data.

02

Work on the model in the workbench

Open the Modeling Workbench and the database you need. Work on model objects such as dimensions, cubes, rules and processes here.

03

Present the analysis in a workbook

Open or create a workbook. Combine cube views, charts and selectors into a useful interface. This turns the model into a planning or reporting application.

IN PRACTICE

One planning model. Two workspaces.

Sales planning example: build the structure in the workbench, then let the team use it in a workbook for data entry and analysis.

BUILD THE MODEL

Create products and months.

Maintain dimensions and the sales volume cube in the workbench.

DEFINE THE LOGIC

Set up imports and calculations.

Processes load data; rules implement the calculations you need.

WORK WITH DATA

Plan and compare.

In the workbook, the team enters plan values and compares results.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Any questions?

Does workbook mean an Excel file here?

No. Here, workbook means a book in Planning Analytics Workspace. Excel and the PAfE add-in provide a separate way to work with Planning Analytics.

Can I also view cube data in the workbench?

Yes. Cube views help you inspect a model there. Books let you arrange views and other content into planning and reporting interfaces.

Can every user edit the model?

No. Access to features, model objects and data depends on roles and permissions. Opening a workbook does not automatically grant modelling rights.

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Florian KaiserFlorian KaiserPlanning Analytics consultant

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