Custom forecast dimensions and measures in Advanced Account Forecasting
Key Takeaway
Every forecast dimension and measure is a field on a forecast fact object. A custom dimension is a lookup field that you add as a dimension source in Setup before you add it to a forecast set. A custom measure is a Number field for quantity or a Currency field for revenue.
Advanced Account Forecasting stores forecast data on a forecast fact object. Each forecast dimension, a way to slice the forecast such as product or period, is a field on that object. Each measure, a value being forecast such as revenue, is also a field on that object. Sometimes a business requirement needs a dimension or measure that the predefined fields don't provide, which means you have a gap. You close it by adding a custom field to the fact object and then configuring that field in a forecast set.
The forecast fact object and forecast sets
The predefined Advanced Account Forecast Fact object holds the forecast data for each period. Its fields represent common dimensions, such as product and period, and common measures, such as sales agreement revenue, forecasted quantity, and opportunity revenue. To meet other forecasting needs, you can extend this object or create a custom forecast fact object.
A forecast set defines how forecasts work for one business objective, including its dimensions, measures, adjustment periods, calculation methods, and calculation frequencies. To make a new fact field show on the forecast grid, you add it to a forecast set. After you create a forecast set, you activate it.