Maximize or minimize a target value

Direction-based optimization adjusts one or more data input measures to maximize or minimize the selected objective measure while satisfying the defined constraints.

Prerequisites#

Before you begin, review the Prerequisites section for Optimize to understand the initial setup requirements.

Maximize a calculated field#

To demonstrate direction-based optimization, you will maximize the calculated field - Profit forecast by optimizing independent variables - Revenue Forecast, Purchase Forecast, Advertising Forecast, and Transport Forecast.

1. Select the target cell in the calculated measure. In the Planning ribbon, select Optimize. In this example, select the target cell from the Profit Forecast measure.

2. To achieve direction-based optimization,

• Set Objective to Maximize to achieve the highest possible value. For example, maximize revenue, profit, or return on investment.
• Set Objective to Minimize to achieve the lowest possible value. For example, minimize cost, expenses, or inventory holding costs. In this example, the Objective is set to Maximize to arrive at the maximum Profit Forecast.

3. Select the data input or forecast measures (independent variables) to optimize from Variables to Update. In this case, Optimize adjusts the Revenue Forecast, Purchase Forecast, Advertising Forecast, and Transport Forecast to maximize the Profit Forecast. Select Next.

4. Select Add Constraint to define the minimum and maximum limits for the data input measure. For more information, see Configure optimization thresholds.

5. Choose the measure to apply the constraint from Apply to Variable. Select Range for the Set Type option. Enter the minimum and maximum optimization thresholds.

6. Select Apply. Select Add to specify additional constraints. Select Run after you define all the constraints.

7. Review the adjusted values and select Apply to update the values of the independent measures with the optimized values. For more information about Optimize parameters, see Adjust parameters to achieve targets.

8. Optimize increases the Profit Forecast to 50.46m from 43.92m after adjusting independent measures within the specified constraints. Since you applied Optimize on a total value, the update is cascaded to all the related child dimensions.