Trend Analysis
When using the trend analysis the dataset can be checked for a positive or negative trend with regard to the selected key figure.
Example
You would like to check whether sales have a positive trend or you want to check whether incoming orders show a negative trend.
The system runs a check according to the data and the number of periods which you specified for the period to analyze on whether or not a trend exists. If you indicate 1 for the period to analyze then of course no trend will be determined.
If you specify a period to analyze of 3 or more, then you can also carry out a statistical test for a trend for each individual requirement by using statistical tools. This is recommended when you want to know whether a trend exists even if there are outliers according to the data. When 3 or 4 periods are used in the statistical test for a trend a regression line is formed on which the trend is determined and when 5 or more periods are used a more dependable statistical test for a trend is carried out.
The following representation illustrates the trend analysis with and without statistical test.
Procedure:
Position the cursor on the key figure for which you want to define or change requirements for a trend analysis and select
Edit
Define: Requirement.
A dialog box appears.
Select
Trend analysis
and pressEnter.A dialog box appears where you can select the desired direction of the trend (positive or negative).
When using 3 or more periods to analyze you can subsequently perform an additional statistical trend.
If you want to perform a statistical test for a trend by using statistical tools, select the field
Statist. test
.If you do not select this field, the system will only check whether the data points show an obvious rise or fall for the given period to analyze. That is, if there is only one outlier in an otherwise trend-like dataset, then no trend exists. (refer to previous illustration).
PressEnter.
The selected trend will appear behind the key figure.