Defining CPM Variables: Cockpit (SAP Library - Management Cockpit (CPM-MC))

Defining CPM Variables: Cockpit

Use

Based on the variable definitions for the characteristics of a frame, you determine the concrete value assignment of the CPM variables for the cockpit presentation at the level of the cockpit itself. If, in the context of a frame, a CPM variable is defined for values of a specific characteristic, then the variable is automatically added to the variable lists of all cockpits where the frame appears. You can determine if the CPM variable is to be replaced in the same way for all frames where it is used, or if you will specify the value to be used for each individual frame.

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text

You can also maintain CPM variables in the SEM menu by choosing Strategic Enterprise Management ® Performance Measurement ® Design ® Various ® Variables (see CPM variables).

Prerequisites

If you want to edit the variable assignment of a cockpit, the cockpit must contain frames where CPM variables are used to restrict characteristic values. If, for all characteristics that are assigned to the frames of a cockpit, the only value restrictions that have been made are to fixed values, then this step is not applicable.

Procedure

In the SEM menu, choose Strategic Enterprise Management ® Performance Measurement ® Design ® Management Cockpit Design ® Management Cockpits.

Select a cockpit.

From the context menu of the current cockpit, choose

Proceed through the steps as far as "Variable Assignment" and, in the work area, expand the tree structure with the overview of all CPM variables used in the cockpit (if characteristics from different systems are used in the cockpit, a complete tree structure appears for each system; in addition, the runtime variables are grouped in a separate hierarchy branch).

With customizing variables, the following objects are listed hierarchically:

Name of the SAP Business Information Warehouse system (SAP BW System) that supplies the data for the current cockpit

The name of the InfoCube used from the specified BW System (in an extreme case, a different InfoCube can be assigned to each frame)

The name of the characteristic in the specified InfoCube. The characteristic is used in at least one frame and its value is replaced by a CPM variable

The name of the CPM variable that replaces the characteristic value

The name and position of the frames in which the CPM variable is used to restrict characteristic values. The position of a frame is specified by a three-digit numerical code. This code contains the sequential number of the wall, logical view and frame; this is necessary because a frame can be used several times within one cockpit.

In the case of runtime variables, only CPM variables in use are listed.

The following steps apply exclusively to the processing of customizing variables:

Select a CPM variable to which you want to assign a value.
First decide if the value assignment to the CPM variable should apply to all frames where the CPM variable is used (frame-independent), or if you will specify the value to be assigned for each individual frame (frame-dependent) by choosing Frame-Dependent: On/Off in the context menu of a CPM variable.

A frame-independent assignment is appropriate when you have a characteristic that should be kept constant in the entire presentation. For example, you can create a presentation of data from a certain period by restricting the characteristic "Fiscal year/period" independently from the frame by using a CPM variable, which you set to the desired period for the entire cockpit. All frames in the cockpit that replace the characteristic with this CPM variable then automatically break down their key figures according to the period you selected.
A frame-dependent assignment is appropriate when you want to break down the values of a key figure according to different characteristic values. For example, you can define a frame where the key figure "Sales" is broken down by the characteristic "Region". You use this frame several times in the cockpit and replace the characteristic "Region" by a CPM variable. You assign a value to this variable for each use of the frame, and the value assigned is valid only for this specific use of the frame. This way, you can present the sales figures for various regions without having to create a separate frame for each region.

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text

Strictly speaking, the frame-dependent assignment is a "frame- and position-dependent assignment": Since you can use any frame several times in the same cockpit, its unique identification consists not only of its name but also of the position where it is used in the cockpit.

Use the function Change Selection (either frame-independently for the CPM variable, or separately for each frame, according to your previous selection) to determine what value is to replace the CPM variable in the current cockpit.

The system displays a dialog box where you can enter the desired settings. These may differ depending on the definition of the CPM variables. You may be able to select a single characteristic value, make a complex selection, or select a hierarchy.

Follow the same procedure for all the variables in the CPM cockpit that are displayed on this screen. When you have replaced all CPM variables with values, choose Continue to go to the last step, where you save the cockpit definition.

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text

Each change to the cockpit definition or to the elements of a cockpit results in a change of the cockpit’s status to "inactive". If you wish to display a cockpit with the presentation module or configure the status of the frame elements contained in the cockpit, you therefore have to release it again after making changes to the variable assignment.

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text

In contrast to all other steps for the different element types of the Management Cockpit, you can save the cockpit definition even if you have not completed the variable assignment. In the presentation, only those frames are displayed whose selection criteria are stored in full.

When editing runtime variables, in addition to the value assignment, you can also determine whether the variable value is to be visible in the main window of the presentation module or not. You can show a maximum of two CPM variables in the presentation module. In the context menu of the CPM variables whose value you wish to display, choose 1st Std Runtime Variable or 2nd Std Runtime Variable to display the CPM variable in first or second position.

Result

The restriction of characteristic values for the cockpit is now completed. You can present the released cockpit using the presentation module, provided it is also arranged in the cockpit list (see Editing the Cockpit List).

See also:

CPM Variables

CPM Variables for Characteristic Value Restriction

Defining CPM Variables: Frame