Program Based Business fit and program forecast generation
Key Takeaway
A program forecast uses three separate forecast sets, one each for the program, program variant, and program component levels. In the program template, each forecast set is mapped to its matching forecast fact object. You create the forecast set uses for the program and program variant manually. The forecast set use for program components is created automatically when the admin runs the Data Processing Engine definitions.
Program Based Business is an Agentforce Manufacturing feature for suppliers whose own demand depends on what their customers plan to build. The supplier brings in a customer's program forecasts and derives forecasts for its own components from them. The supplier then carries those forecasts through to opportunities, quotes, and sales agreements (run-rate business).
When Program Based Business fits
Program Based Business fits a supplier that must look at its customers' forecasts to set its own. Suppliers that work this way are common in process, aerospace, defense, automotive, engineer-to-order, and make-to-order environments.
Brightway Components makes brake pads for a truck manufacturer. Brightway sells brake pads when the truck manufacturer builds trucks, so its demand follows the truck manufacturer's build plans. Instead of guessing, Brightway derives its brake pad forecast from the truck manufacturer's forecast.
Program managers run the full program lifecycle in three stages:
- Derive forecasts from the customer's forecasts.
- Turn those forecasts into business opportunities based on profitability analysis.
- Convert the opportunities into run-rate business, for example by converting component forecasts to opportunities and quotes to sales agreements.