Patent ID: 7401090

Claim:
A computer-based method for the improvement of business planning procedures, including a planning data repository with a fact table, one or more related dimension tables, and relationships for accessing data from the fact table through the related dimension tables, the method comprising: a modelling step to create a planning cube and set up relationships between users and data, including the steps of: a) defining one or more dimensions describing the structure of an enterprise; b) defining one or more user classes; c) mapping said user classes to the levels in the structures identified by said one or more dimensions to produce an organisation object; d) creating a cube from said planning data repository; and e) creating a plan from said cube, thereby assigning ownership; and the using step comprises the following steps: a using step to delegate planning and coordinate the passing of data, including the steps of: for each contributing manager or contributor as identified by said organisation object: f) delegating said plan by a superior manager, who may be a plan manager or contributing manager, to a delegated contributing manager or a contributor; g) incorporating changes generated by said delegated contributing manager or said contributor to data within said plan thereby creating a proposal; h) passing by said delegated contributing manager or said contributor of said proposal to said superior manager; and i) accepting or rejecting by said superior manager of said proposal.