Using PSA Analytics

In Analytics, lenses and dashboards enable you to view, analyze, and perform actions on your data. PSA Analytics provides pre-set data templates for you to use and modify as required. Embedded dashboards and copies of their required datasets are available via the PSA Analytics Embedded Dashboards app.

Refer to the following information about datasets, lenses, and dashboards within PSA Analytics.

For general information about datasets, lenses, and dashboards in Analytics, see the Salesforce Help for Analytics.

The PSA Analytics app includes several datasets. Each dataset contains information from FinancialForce PSA, however, the datasets are not copies of their related PSA objects, rather the information within the objects is extracted, normalized, and stored in Analytics.

For each platform license, your organization can have a maximum of 250 million rows of data stored for all registered datasets.

When creating a dataset, Analytics applies one of the following types to each field:

  • Date: values such as days, months, years, and times. You can group, filter, and perform calculations on the data in Date type fields.
  • Dimension: qualitative values such as regions, product names, and model numbers. You can group and filter the data in Dimension type fields. You cannot perform calculations. Dimension fields are indexed.
  • Measure: quantitative values such as revenue and exchange rates. You can perform calculations on the data in Measure type fields.

Similar to Salesforce reports and other reporting tools, you do not need to know the object model of the dataset. The dataset includes information from various objects which have been combined into one view. The naming convention remains as close as possible to the terminology that you are familiar with, for example, Billings Date, Estimates Vs Actuals, Milestone Name, Project Manager Name. Additionally, all components are labeled to make it easy for you to recognize the content. Not all field names remain the same, however.

You can add your own fields to a dataset in the following ways:

  • Modify the dataflow.
  • Create your own expressions in dashboards.
  • Use the Recipes function in Analytics.

For more information, contact your implementation consultant.

The following datasets are available:

The Billings dataset accesses information from the Billings field, which is stored in objects such as Milestones, Est Vs Actuals, Expenses, Miscellaneous Adjustments, and Timecards. The dataset also includes fields from other objects such as Projects, Users, and Contacts as well as additional fields relating to Billings.

For more information about the fields that are included in the Billings dataset, see Billings Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The Utilization dataset stores fields associated with the Utilization Detail object in PSA, this object is generated by the Utilization Calculation. In order to prevent unwanted data duplication, this dataset only uses records that have the Is Report Master checkbox selected in PSA, we recommend that your Utilization Calculations have the Is Report Master checkbox selected before running the dataflow. The dataset also includes fields from the Contact object in Salesforce.

For information about which fields are included in the Utilization dataset, see Utilization Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The Utilization Analytics (Embedded) dataset stores fields associated with the Utilization Result object in PSA. This object is generated by the Utilization Run.

For information about which fields are included in the Utilization Analytics (Embedded) dataset, see Utilization Results Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The Capacity dataset is used by the dashboard of the same name and it stores fields associated with the Utilization Detail object in PSA such as scheduled hours, remaining hours as well as fields from other associated objects. In order to prevent unwanted data duplication, this dataset only uses records that have the Is Report Master checkbox selected in PSA, we recommend you that your Utilization Calculations have the Is Report Master checkbox selected before running the dataflow.

For more information about which fields are included in the Capacity dataset, see Capacity Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The Backlog dataset is used by the dashboard of the same name and it stores fields associated with the Backlog Details object in PSA such as scheduled hours, remaining hours as well as fields from other associated objects. For more information about which fields are included in the Backlog dataset, see Backlog Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The Currency ISO Code dataset uses the currency associated with the analytics integration user to display the ISO code for the currency shown in the dashboards. This dataset is used by all of the PSA Analytics dashboards except Utilization and Capacity (Hours).

For more information about the fields that are included in the Currency ISO Code dataset, see Currency ISO Code Fields.

Note: To change the ISO code displayed in the PSA Analytics dashboards:
  1. Change the currency associated with the analytics integration user.
  2. Run the PSA Analytics dataflow to update the data displayed in the Analytics dashboards.

The Billing Forecast Summaries dataset is used by the Forecasts dashboard and it stores fields associated with the forecast calculation in PSA such as the forecast summary type, the creation name and date of the calculation, and the values associated with the calculation. For more information about which fields are included in the Billing Forecast Summaries dataset, see Billing Forecast Summaries Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The Billing Forecast Details dataset is used by the Billing Forecasts dashboard and it stores fields associated with the forecast calculation in PSA such as the forecast record name and owner name, the region, practice and group information, and the actuals, schedule and unscheduled values. For more information about which fields are included in the Billing Forecast Details dataset, see Billing Forecast Details Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The Project Margin dataset is used by the dashboard of the same name and it stores fields associated with the actuals calculation in PSA such as total costs, billings value, and project manager name. For more information about which fields are included in the Project Margin dataset, see Project Margin Dataset PSA Analytics Output Fields.

The data held in your datasets is refreshed each time you run your dataflow.

If you have created embeddable dashboards using the PSA Analytics Embedded Dashboards app we recommend that you schedule the dataflow for this app to run after the dataflow for your primary PSA Analytics app. This is because the data held in your PSA Analytics Embedded Dashboards app is derived from your primary PSA Analytics app. For more information on how to create and schedule dataflows, see the Salesforce Help.

This version of PSA Analytics does not include lenses. You can create your own lenses from one of the included datasets. For assistance, contact your implementation consultant.

This version of FinancialForce PSA Analytics includes several predefined and customizable dashboards to enable you to explore and visualize your PSA data. For general information about dashboards in Analytics, see the Salesforce Analytics Help.

Note: When launching a dashboard, if some widgets are not displayed or an error is displayed, verify that the following items are correct in the dataset:
• All fields contain data
• All field references are valid
See the Salesforce Help for more information.

Key:
S = Standard Component
O = Optional Component

PSA Analytics Dashboards

Dashboard

 

Description
Overview S Enables you to view the most relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) for the current fiscal quarter and navigate to a more detailed view of each KPI by opening their respective dashboard.
Billings S

Provides detailed information about the scheduled and actual bill rate and billings. By default this dashboard graphs display information for the current fiscal quarter.
Utilization S Provides detailed information about the scheduled and actual utilization rate, the total utilization hours and the utilization percentage. By default this dashboard graphs display information for the current fiscal quarter.
Backlog S

Enables you to view detailed information about your scheduled and unscheduled backlog. By default this dashboard graphs display data for the current fiscal quarter.
Capacity S Enables you to view the available capacity hours and the contrast between scheduled vs remaining capacity hours. By default this dashboard graphs display data for the current fiscal quarter.
Capacity Demand and Planning S Enables you to view the utilization of resources by Region, Practice or Group, and view a breakdown of the demand for a role in your selected date range by Assigned, Held Requests, Unheld Requests and Remaining.
Project Burnup, Project Burnup (Embedded) S Track changes in scope for your projects and how much work has been delivered and billed, and use predictive analytics to view velocity trends in your projects.
Billings Forecasts O

The Totals tab enables you to view and compare the expected, best case, and worst case scenarios for your services forecasts and their distribution.

The Comparison tab enables you to compare your selected forecast calculation with one of its previous versions. This tab also enables you to extract valuable insights by breaking down the difference between the current and previous versions.

By default this dashboard graphs display the latest forecast calculation generated in PSA.
Total Project Margin (Workspace) O Enables project managers to view their assigned project's actuals and their expected project margins. This dashboard does not appear in the overview and, by default it displays an accurate prediction for the next four months.
Revenue Forecast O This dashboard enables you to embed analytics to display revenue forecasting key performance indicators (KPIs), including comparisons of forecast versions.
Utilization Analytics O Provides detailed information about your resources' scheduled or actual hours logged and calendar hours.
PSA Analytics Embedded Dashboards

Dashboard

 

Description
Revenue Forecast (Embedded) O This dashboard enables you to embed analytics to display revenue forecasting key performance indicators (KPIs), including comparisons of forecast versions.
Utilization Analytics (Embedded) O Provides detailed information about your resources' scheduled or actual hours logged and calendar hours.

The following icons are available in the PSA Analytics dashboards.

Icon Description

Click to hide or display the filter panel.

Note: The filter panel is not available in the Overview, Forecasts, and Project Margin dashboards.

Click to open the dashboard configuration page. Click again to exit the configuration.

Note: You can access the dashboard configuration page from the Overview dashboard. This page enables you to select the default data displayed in your overview and detail dashboards.
Click to view the Business Analytics Help.