Resource Allocation Tutorial - Creating a Template

Creating a Resource Allocation Template

The Resource Allocation model allows you to use your own data directly or to use a pre-formatted template.

Because the Resource Allocation model requires a specific data format, users with their own data should review the pre-formatted template to become familiar with the appropriate structure.

The Templates feature can be found on the Enginius Dashboard in the left column.

After selecting the Resource Allocation template from the dropdown, you will be presented with the following dialog box to set up the template according to your data needs:

The options are as follows:

General options:

• Number of categories: A category is the base unit of analysis in resource allocation; you might allocate resources across channels, customers, or products, such that each channel, customer, or product is defined by the generic term “categories” for the purposes of this analysis.
• Number of effort levels: The calibration of the response curve requires the consensus estimates of how outcomes might be affected by changes in the input variables for each segment. For instance, how much additional sales would be generated by an increase of 50% in the sales force allocated to a specific customer segment or product? Obtaining accurate and consistent consensus estimates from a group of managers and experts is as much an art as it is a science. It requires free information exchange, constructive feedback, and a constructive discussion of the “what-if?” scenarios.
• Include category-specific level constraints: If you check this option, Enginius will include a data block in the template wherein you can specify the maximum and minimum effort levels that could be deployed for any category. 

Note: the check box at the bottom of the dialog box will cause the template to populate with sample (random) data that will allow you to run Bass forecasting immediately so you can preview the output produced.

After selecting the desired model options, click  to generate the data collection template.