Patent ID: 7761324

Claim:
A computer system comprising: a processor; a memory, coupled to the processor, and storing instructions executable on the processor, the instructions comprising a forecast series creation set of instructions, wherein a forecast series associated with the forecast series creation set of instructions comprises a set of parameters that define attributes of forecasts that are created from the forecast series, wherein the set of parameters identify hierarchy data defining a hierarchy structure of an organization, including data identifying a hierarchical position of each member of the organization, wherein the hierarchy structure comprises a plurality of management levels, identify an acceptable range of dates over which forecasts generated from the forecast series cover, identify members of the organization to be included in the forecasts generated from the forecast series, the members derived from the hierarchy, identify forecast data to be automatically analyzed to generate forecasts from the forecast series, identify a visibility mode for the forecasts generated from the forecast series, are employed to generated a forecast series comprising the identity of the hierarchy data, the identity of the acceptable range of dates, the identity of the members of the organization to be included in the forecast, the identity of the forecast data to be automatically analyzed, and the identity of the visibility mode, and are stored together with the forecast series, wherein the stored forecast series is accessible for use in generation of forecasts upon request, and the forecast series further comprises visibility rules, including a maximum hierarchy depth search value n defining a search scope such that a forecast generated for a manager is generated from the manager's own forecast data and from forecast data corresponding to members of the organization who are defined to be both subordinate to the manager and occupy a management level in the hierarchy structure that is less than or equal to n levels below a management level occupied by the manager, and there is at least one level in the hierarchy structure that is below the last level included in the search scope, an opportunity and revenue scheduling creation set of instructions to identify forecast data, a forecast creation set of instructions that define attributes of a particular forecast, wherein the attributes fall within the set of parameters comprised in the forecast series, to generate the particular forecast, and said processor configured to generate the particular forecast using the forecast series.