10 secrets to winning with Anaplan financial planning
Effective planning is the backbone of successful organisations. Yet, too often, planning is viewed as a one-off exercise or a box-ticking exercise, rather than the living, breathing business discipline it must be.
To help your business not just survive but thrive, here are 10 proven secrets to winning with Anaplan financial planning.
1. Set the right expectations
Effective planning starts by being realistic about what a plan can and cannot do. While actual performance data is captured in granular detail, plans should be kept at a summarised, actionable level. Avoid the temptation to overcomplicate by adding unnecessary detail—this only makes plans unwieldy and less achievable.
- Tip: Identify your planning horizon (current year, next year, two years out) and appoint an internal champion to lead the planning process. Above all, keep things simple—but not simplistic.
2. Create connected plans
Planning should never happen in a vacuum. Finance, sales, demand, supply, projects, and HR must be tightly linked to the overall financial plan. A finance controller consolidating plans is helpful, but real value comes from connecting your plans across functions. True success requires finance to be a business partner, collaborating with every department to ensure consistency and alignment.
3. Harness AI and machine learning for forecasting
Modern planning leverages advanced tools. Rather than painstakingly forecasting every single line, utilise AI and statistical forecasting techniques—linear regression, moving averages, and Monte Carlo simulations are just a few examples. These tools streamline the planning process, offering data-driven insights for better decision-making.
4. Make planning collaborative
AI and data are powerful, but human expertise and collaboration add the finishing touch. Involve stakeholders and owners at every level—break plans down to product, customer, or regional detail as needed. For example, a consumer goods company may plan at the brand level, but actuals will break down to sub-brand and SKU. Use systems to make these breakdowns efficient and accurate.
5. Embrace scenario planning
The future is unpredictable, but you can prepare for it. Build scenarios—best case, most likely, worst case—into your planning process. This flexibility makes plans more resilient and responsive. Define triggers and action plans for each scenario so you can adapt quickly if things change.
6. Incorporate drivers and assumptions
Plans built around clear business drivers and explicit assumptions are faster to develop and easier to adjust. Common drivers include exchange rates, salary assumptions, and interest rates. This approach speeds up the process and delivers savings in both time and resources.
7. Refine plans with rolling forecasts
Plans set once a year risk becoming outdated. To stay relevant, introduce rolling forecasts—update your plans regularly, using new information and changing assumptions as needed. You’ll spend less time re-planning and more time managing the business.
8. Make analytics an everyday habit
As the saying goes, “what gets measured, gets managed.” While plans might be created annually and forecasts quarterly, performance analytics should be a daily habit. Use simple, clear reporting—colour coding, arrows, and scorecards—to keep everyone informed and focused on key performance indicators.
9. Leverage modern planning techniques
Once your basic process is in place, raise your game with advanced methods like zero-based budgeting, activity-based costing, and driver-based models. For example, global leaders use zero-based budgeting to find cost savings and reinvest in growth. These techniques make your planning smarter and your resources work harder.
10. Keep improving
The best organisations treat planning as a continuous improvement process. Seek feedback from stakeholders, measure forecast accuracy, and encourage open dialogue about what works and what doesn’t. Your internal planning champion should drive this feedback loop, building a truly performance-driven culture.
Planning is essential not because what is planned is going to happen but because what is about to happen can be considered against what was planned.
Umesh Biyani
Business Director
Winning with planning isn’t about perfection. It’s about agility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. By embracing these ten secrets, you’ll create a planning process that’s both robust and responsive—helping your organisation navigate uncertainty and capture new opportunities.
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