In-depth study and development of a planning and forecasting application to generate forecasting scenarios in support to annual and monthly planning activities

This thesis work aims to explore the use of IBM Planning Analytics, an integrated business planning solution, declined to the firm's function of Corporate Performance Management in the context of the large-scale distribution sector to develop a solution that integrates forecasting techniques into traditional planning activities. The main steps involved in this work relate to the analysis of the market situation for software in Corporate Performance Management, selection of the most suitable software, development of the solution and integration with real use-case. The potential offered by forecasting techniques is immense, but carrying out planning and forecasting activities as separate entities introduces friction that could diminish the potential benefit while, instead, merging into the planning process the tools offered by forecast could trigger highly valuable results. The necessity to combine the two activities was found in planners’ difficulty in completing the activities on time and without impediments. By following the logics and adhering to the boundaries of Corporate Performance Management, a solution has been developed in order to obtain quicker, safer and more precise planning processes with the added possibility to exploit forecasting techniques.