Deal Forecast report

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Deal Forecast Report

The Deal Forecast report is a powerful feature in ActiveCampaign that provides an overview of your pipeline status and enables effective business forecasting on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Understanding your deal pipelines through this report is critical as it allows businesses to analyze historical trends concerning forecast accuracy. The report reveals which deals remain open and which have been closed, offering a precise view of business health.

This feature is available for various plan types, including the Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans. To utilize the Deal Forecast report effectively, users need to ensure that they have entered accurate date information into the Forecasted Close Date field for all deals.

How to Access the Deal Forecast Report

Accessing the Deal Forecast report requires specific permissions. Account users assigned to the Admin group or those with permission to view Deals reports will be able to access this feature.

To access the report, there are two methods:

1. Click Reports in the left menu, then select Deals > Deal Forecast.
2. Click Deals in the left menu and choose Deal Forecast under Reports.

Upon accessing the report, it will initially load metrics from the last 7 days.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Once you have accessed the Deal Forecast report, follow these steps to utilize its features effectively:

1. **Setting a Date Range**

  - At the top of the report, you can set a specific date range to analyze metrics within your desired timeframe.

2. **Filtering Data in the Report**

  - Use the filters available to view the data according to specific categories:
    * **Pipeline**: View data for all pipelines or a specific one via the dropdown menu.
    * **Currency**: This filter allows you to categorize deals by the currency types you've set up. Note that it does not convert values into different currencies.
    * **Deal Owner**: Filter the data to view by individual deal owners or all owners.
    * **Forecasted Close Date**: Adjust the date range based on the projected closing dates provided by deal owners.
    * **Deal Creation Date**: View deals based on their creation dates within the selected timeframe.

  Select the required filter from the dropdown, and the report will automatically reload with the new results.

Configuration Options and Settings

The Deal Forecast report includes a variety of configuration options and settings essential for its operation:

• **Forecasted Close Date**: Users must fill in this field for each deal for accurate forecasting.
• **Deal Count Metrics**: The report provides key metrics including:

  * **Total Deal Count**: Shows all deals marked as won, lost, or open.
  * **Forecasted Value**: Reflects the value of deals with a forecasted close date.
  * **Actual Value Marked Won**: Displays the value of won deals with a forecasted close date.
  * **Forecast Accuracy**: Measures how closely the actual outcomes match the forecasts.

Additionally, the report features a Dynamic Timeframe Chart and Table, which allows users to visualize performance over time and compare forecasted and actual values.

Best Practices and Tips

To make the most of the Deal Forecast report, consider the following best practices:

• Regularly update your Forecasted Close Dates to reflect current expectations and improve forecast accuracy.
• Utilize the filtering options to focus on specific pipelines or deal owners to tailor your analysis.
• Export the report data frequently using the Download Data option to maintain a record of performance metrics and share findings with your team.

Troubleshooting

In case of any issues accessing or using the Deal Forecast report, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to view Deals reports as this may restrict your access.
• Confirm that the data in the Forecasted Close Date field is filled in accurately for your deals.
• If the report does not load or functions incorrectly, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.

Common Use Cases

The Deal Forecast report is beneficial in several scenarios:

• **Sales Forecasting**: Helps sales teams predict revenue for upcoming periods based on current deals.
• **Performance Analysis**: Assists in measuring the accuracy of sales forecasts across different deal owners and pipelines.
• **Historical Trend Review**: Enables users to analyze past performance and refine future forecasting strategies.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the Deal Forecast report?

The Deal Forecast report provides insights into your sales pipeline, enabling effective forecasting and tracking of deal statuses.

How can I access the Deal Forecast report?

You can access this report through the Reports menu or the Deals section if you have the appropriate permissions.

What permissions are required to view the Deal Forecast report?

Users assigned to the Admin group or those specifically authorized to view Deals reports can access this feature.

Can I filter the report data by deal owner?

Yes, the report allows filtering by specific deal owners using a dropdown menu at the top of the report.

What formats can I export the Deal Level Detail Table to?

You can export the Deal Level Detail Table to CSV, TXT, Excel (2007 or later), JSON, HTML, or Markdown file formats.

How does the forecast accuracy metric work?

Forecast accuracy calculates how closely forecasted deals align with actual outcomes, providing a percentage score based on successful closures.

Is there a way to visualize data over time in the report?

Yes, the report includes a Dynamic Timeframe Chart that displays both forecasted and actual values side by side for different time periods.

By understanding and utilizing the features of the Deal Forecast report, businesses can enhance their sales strategies and improve revenue forecasting. ```