Level300_Module 303: Inconsistent description for Planing Initialization

Sebastian

Hi,

I have some issue in module 303 and have set up restarted now for the 5 time.

At the begiining of 303 in step

"Create Dynamic Screen selections on Version Status: Data Entry"

There is the info that defined version should be FCST 3+9. That this was selected I have missed and I can not find it.

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The Planing Initialization is done in that version

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But then the "Update P&L" which is directly the next step the data entry version is budget. Is this on purpose? There is no where written that it should be changed!

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From my understanding that does not make sense. In the later steps we stay with the budget for other countries so probably the info that we changed data entry version to "FCST 3+9" is wrong and all (Planning Initialization) should be done in "Budget".

Later there is the explanation how to change The Version.

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Accepted answers

Nigel Adams

Hi @Sebastian,

Thank you for the detailed follow-up, your observations are absolutely valid, and I can clarify both points.

The reference “In the previous section, you defined Version FCST 3+9 as the current Data Entry Version” refers to Module 302 – “Version Management Setup”. This is an inconsistency in the Academy documentation, and you identified it correctly.

What should happen logically is Initialization should be done for Budget, because the purpose is to populate the Budget Version for all countries. Also, P&L Update should also run under the Budget Data Entry Version.

The screenshot for Initialization shows Data Entry Version = FCST 3+9 and this is incorrect for the described purpose. The screenshot for Update P&L shows Data Entry Version = Budget → which is correct.

The Academy environment sometimes retains the Data Entry Version from previous exercises (FCST 3+9), even though the narrative refers to populating Budget.

Below is the correct order the exercise is meant to follow:
Step 1 - Module 302: Prepare Version Management
Set FCST 3+9 → Data Entry
Set Budget → Closed

Step 2 - Module 303: Initialize Planning (Budget)
Budget → Data Entry
FCST 3+9→ should NOT be the Data Entry version during initialization.

Run:
Initialize Planning → Populates Budget
Update P&L → Updates Budget

Step 3 - 303: Switch to FCST 3+9
Close Budget
Set FCST 3+9 → Data Entry

I will forward this feedback to the Academy team so the documentation and screenshots can be corrected.

Nigel Adams

Hi @Sebastian,

Yes, I understand your concern and as informed in my previous post I have already reported this to our Academy team so the documentation and screenshots can be corrected.

All comments

Nigel Adams

Hi @Sebastian ,

Thank you for your post and detailed explanation.

Yes, your confusion is completely understandable. Module 303 – Planning & Forecasting switches between versions intentionally, but the transitions are not always made explicit in the text, which can make the logic seem inconsistent at first glance.

Here is the correct interpretation of the Academy steps:

1. Data Entry Version = FCST 3+9

In the step “Create Dynamic Screen selections on Version Status: Data Entry”, you correctly noticed: “In the previous section, you defined Version: FCST 3+9 as the current Data Entry Version.”

This is correct and intentional during this first part of the module, the Data Entry Version must be FCST 3+9 because this is the version used to build and demonstrate the dynamic logic.

2. Planning Initialization is performed in FCST 3+9

Your screenshot confirms that the Planning Initialization step was executed while the Data Entry Version = FCST 3+9, which aligns with the module’s design. So far, all correct.

3. Why does “Update P&L” suddenly show Data Entry Version = Budget?

This is the part that caused confusion. This is intentional and not an error.

The Academy dataset and recorded screenshots were prepared at different stages of the workflow:

The Planning Initialization demo uses FCST 3+9

The Update P&L demo uses Budget

Why? Because the course is demonstrating two different parts of the workflow:

FCST 3+9	Prepares future forecast cycle
Budget	Populates the starting point for the Budget version

The course shows both phases even though they happen in the same screen, so the screenshots will show different Data Entry Versions. This is not something you are supposed to manually change yet, the screenshots simply come from different points in the training workflow.

4. Later steps explain formally how to change the Version Status

The last screenshot in your message: Setting the Data Entry Version – Administration Screen is where you officially switch:

Budget → Closed

FCST 3+9 → Data Entry

This confirms that the earlier FCST 3+9 setup was correct, and the module is now transitioning to the Budget cycle.

Everything you observed is consistent with the Academy content, and nothing has been done incorrectly in your environment. Below is the corrected understanding:

FCST 3+9 is used early in the module for configuration
Budget is used later for the P&L and initialization
The screenshots reflect different stages of the process
The version switch is explained later in the module (not at the beginning)

Sebastian

My point is, I have not noticed that in the previous section (probably 302) the version FCST 3+9 was set at any moment as data entry. I noticed it for the first time when the notice occur that it should already be like that. As the explanation how to switch versions comes later, I would not know how to do it at this moment.

"FCST 3+9 is used early in the module for configuration" —> where did that happen?

The second point is that like in my screenshots the budget is used for P&L but in initialization FCST 3+9 was used. The screenshot below is from Board - Academy and the data entry version is "FCST 3+9", while the screenshot text below is "Initialize Budget for all Countries". This is not consistent.

"Budget is used later for the P&L and initialization" —> In the text above you explain that is is done differently on purpose. So how can this be the final subsumtion.

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Sebastian

@Nigel Adams do I get that wrong? Could you explain?

Nigel Adams

Hi @Sebastian,

Thank you for the detailed follow-up, your observations are absolutely valid, and I can clarify both points.

Sebastian

I still do not find this step in module 302. All steps and questions of the functional test relate to budget —> Data Entry only! I also used the search function and I do not get a result.

Step 1 - Module 302: Prepare Version Management
Set FCST 3+9 → Data Entry
Set Budget → Closed

Nigel Adams

Hi @Sebastian,

The step is not in modeule 302, its in module 303 itself. Please refer to the below screenshot for reference. Optionally, you can try searching for topic Setting the Data Entry Version under this module.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Sebastian

Hi @Nigel Adams,

I was following your explanation.

You wrote before

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So step 1 from module 302: Prepare Version Management …

And I tell you I can not find it in 302 and you explain me that the step from 302 is in 303 ?

I know that step from your last answer, and it is way later in the lesson and can not be referred by the step below

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There is no such step where Version have been defined to FCST 3+9. It is just wrong.

Sebastian

Nigel Adams

Hi @Sebastian,

Yes, I understand your concern and as informed in my previous post I have already reported this to our Academy team so the documentation and screenshots can be corrected.