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      • Planning Methods

      statycs offers a range of planning methods to support different budgeting and forecasting needs. Each method balances control, automation, and context, so you can:

      • Enter precise, irregular values when needed
      • Automate routine growth or seasonality patterns
      • Leverage financial ratios and business drivers for accuracy
      • Model complex scenarios with custom formulas

      TL;DR
      Use Manual methods for full control, growth-based methods for trend-driven planning, ratio-based methods for proportional line items, and specialized methods (e.g. DSO/DPO/DIO, FTE-based planning, CapEx/D&A, debt) for position-specific logic.

      How planning methods are applied

      To understand how these methods are used, it helps to know how planning is structured in statycs.

      Planning is performed on Level 2 positions.
      Under each Level 2 position, you create one or more planning positions, each using exactly one planning method.

      • Planning positions always roll up to the Level 2 position and determine its planned values.
      • Only formula-based planning positions can include sub-positions.
      • These sub-positions are helper lines only: they support calculations but do not roll up independently. Only the parent planning position contributes to the Level 2 totals.

      Planning methods define how values are calculated, not what the targets or assumptions are.

      Input behavior & helpers

      Planning inputs follow consistent visual and interaction patterns across all methods.

      • Manual inputs are highlighted with a light blue background to distinguish user-entered values from calculated values.
      • Many planning positions provide a ⋮ menu with helper options such as:
        • Last month
        • 3-month average
        • 6-month average
        • Last year growth

      Manual

      Purpose
      Enter planned values directly for each month.

      Logic
      Values are entered manually per period. Copy and paste across months is supported.

      Use when
      Values are irregular or one-off and expert judgment outweighs patterns.

      Manual Change

      Purpose
      Plan monthly changes instead of absolute values.

      Logic
      Each value represents the delta to the previous month.

      Use when
      Planning balance sheet movements or isolating month-over-month effects.

      Monthly Growth

      Purpose
      Apply growth rates on a monthly basis.

      Logic
      A base value is adjusted by a monthly percentage. Growth rates can differ by month.

      Use when
      Monthly trends are stable and growth assumptions are applied incrementally.

      Annual Growth

      Purpose
      Distribute annual growth across months.

      Logic
      One annual growth rate is defined and allocated using a seasonality profile.
      The seasonality profile can be selected by clicking the seasonality icon.

      Use when
      Annual targets are known and monthly distribution follows a predictable pattern.

      % of Account

      Purpose
      Plan values as a percentage of another position.

      Logic
      Planned value = percentage × reference account(s).

      Use when
      Line items scale proportionally with another driver such as revenue.

      FTE × Average Cost

      Purpose
      Plan personnel costs based on headcount.

      Logic
      Planned value = FTE × average monthly cost. Headcount can change over time.

      Use when
      Personnel expenses are driven by staffing plans.

      DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)

      Purpose
      Plan trade receivables based on customer payment behavior.

      Logic
      Trade receivables = (DSO × revenues) / 30

      Use when
      Cash inflows depend on payment terms.

      DPO (Days Payables Outstanding)

      Purpose
      Plan trade payables based on supplier payment terms.

      Logic
      Trade payables = (DPO × (direct costs + operating expenditure)) / 30

      Use when
      Outflows depend on negotiated payment terms.

      DIO (Days Inventory Outstanding)

      Purpose
      Plan inventory levels based on turnover.

      Logic
      Inventory = (DIO × direct costs) / 30

      Use when
      Inventory levels are driven by operational throughput.

      Interest on Cash

      Purpose
      Plan interest income on cash balances.

      Logic
      A monthly interest rate is applied to cash balances.

      Use when
      Interest income is material.

      Tax Rate on EBT

      Purpose
      Estimate tax expense based on profitability.

      Logic
      A percentage rate is applied to Earnings Before Tax (EBT).

      Use when
      Planning tax expenses at an aggregate level.

      Formula-Based

      Purpose
      Create custom planning logic.

      Logic
      Supports arithmetic operators (+ − × ÷ ^), references to other positions, and time offsets.
      Only formula-based planning positions can include sub-positions, which act as helper lines for calculations and do not roll up independently.

      Use when
      Predefined methods are insufficient or complex dependencies are required.

      Fixed Assets (CapEx & D&A)

      Purpose
      Plan investments and depreciation together.

      Logic
      CapEx is entered explicitly. Depreciation is calculated automatically based on the entered depreciation period (number of years).

      Use when
      Planning fixed asset investments.

      Interest-Bearing Liabilities

      Purpose
      Plan loans and financing schedules.

      Logic
      Balance changes are entered manually. Interest expense is calculated automatically based on the defined interest rate.

      Use when
      Planning debt service and interest expense.

      Notes

      • Planning methods define calculation behavior only.
      • Planning positions roll up to their Level 2 position.
      • Sub-positions are calculation helpers, not independent contributors.
      • Planning methods do not change historical actuals.
      • All calculations are validated automatically.