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Top 25 Anaplan features released in 2025
Author: Misbah Ansari is a Certified Master Anaplanner, Anaplan Community Moderator, Leader India User Group, and Founder at Miz Logix.
Anaplan has consistently released several features monthly to stay ahead of the competition and enjoy being a leader in the Connected Planning world. 2025 was no different and there were so many additions to each area of the platform which includes modeling, UX, extensibility, intelligence and Workflow. Although there may be some of you who have followed these releases, many may have missed these updates and releases. In this article, I’ll share more about top 25 features that Anaplan released during the year 2025. Also, the Community recently hosted a November Challenge, and asked people to chime in with their favorite features from 2025. We have seen tremendous response from our Community members who actively participated and shared their favorites. I’ve noted the most popular fan favorites in my list below with quotes from the Community.
Note that this is the third year and article that I have had the privilege of writing it up and I must say that this year has been one of the toughest years to pick up top 25 features due to the sheer volume of the new features released. Anyway, these top 25 features are divided into their respective areas of their capabilities so that it is easy to understand. Let’s jump into it!
Modeling
1. Breakback functionality in Polaris
Breakback functionality is now available in Polaris models, taking advantage of Polaris's native handling of sparsity. This includes limiting the number of cells affected by a breakback to prevent failures.
2. New functions in Polaris
IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and NPV (Net Present Value) functions are available in Polaris, further increasing the breadth of domain-specific calculation capabilities available to users. ITEMLEVEL and HIERARCHYLEVEL, two new functions exclusive to the Polaris engine, have also been introduced, which will allow modelers to determine the level within a hierarchy of an item or list members. Modelers can easily use this information within their formulas, avoiding the need for more complex modeling constructs.
3. UX Page dependency data
In the modules view beta experience, model builders can now see which UX pages are linked to each module, improving visibility into dependencies and reducing the risk of unintended changes.
Thoughts from the Community:
* @Tiffany.Rice: There have been so many great features this year!! A recent one that really helps those of us in the model builder persona is the "Used in pages" within Modules Beta.
* @Humay: As a Model Builder, I found the “Used in Pages” column in the Anaplan Beta Modules extremely valuable and a major improvement in model management.
* @SIVAPRASADPERAM: The Modules View Beta now enables model builders to identify which UX pages are linked to each module. This added visibility helps manage dependencies effectively and minimizes the risk of unintended changes.
4. Page List enhancements
The Pages Inventory has been enhanced to provide a more seamless and unified experience, aligning closely with the functionality of the New Modules Inventory. This includes a compact toolbar, page deletion, editable table columns, enhanced column sorting and arrangement, modules attribute column, and persistent right-hand panel tabs.
5. Calc Effort % in Classic
Calculation Effort is now available in Classic, either in Blueprint view or the Line Items section of the Module Panel. The column displays the percentage of computational effort required for each line item. Opening a model initiates the calculation of all its line items, which means opening time varies based on model complexity and data volume. Once the model is opened, the Calculation Effort column will show which line items in the model require the most computation and may require optimization. For more, check out this community article here.
Thoughts from the Community:
* @matthewreed: There have been some great enhancements this year, but the biggest game-changer for me was the visibility of calculation effort, which was added to the classic engine in March.
* @Bhumit285: From a Model Builder’s perspective, the most impactful improvement has been the Calculation Effort insight in Classic engine, which has significantly helped in model optimization.
* @SunnyNafraz: For model optimization, the platform introduced Calculation Effort Visibility in March 2025, which is like a built-in "speedometer" for formulas in classic models, helping builders see exactly which calculations are using the most processing power so they can be optimized for faster performance.
* @namdevgurme: See which line items are heavy on calculations. Great for optimizing performance and speeding up model.
* @jjayavalli: The March 2025 release introduced the Calculation Effort % metric for Classic-engine modules. This new column exposes how computationally “expensive” each line item is relative to the overall model.
* @Anjaneyulu Putta: Offers transparency into model performance and calculation complexity, helping optimize efficiency and reduce processing time.
* @Poojalakshmi, @shaik970, @devrathahuja, @Babu12, @PujithaB, @ShivankurSharma, and @parmod.kumar2 all also shared this feature as one of their favorites!
6. Clickable dependency links in the New Modules Inventory
In the New Modules Inventory, columns containing dependency data are now clickable, offering model builders quick, seamless access to linked objects for a more efficient modeling experience. Model builders can access the New Modules Inventory via a toggle on the current modules inventory page.
User Experience (UX)
7. Combined Grids
This new capability gives page builders the ability to combine multiple modules into a single, unified grid on a UX page. This functionality reduces manual effort and empowers faster decision-making by presenting related information side-by-side. For more information, check out this Community article: Combined Grids is now live!
Thoughts from the Community:
* Bhumit285: From a UX standpoint, the most awaited and valuable feature, in my opinion, is the Combined Grids capability.
* SunnyNafraz: To improve reporting, the Combined Grids (Multi-Module Reporting) feature, released in October 2025, significantly simplified dashboard views by allowing users to pull data from several different planning tables (modules) and display them together in a single, unified report with a shared row axis, making side-by-side comparisons much cleaner.
* namdevgurme: Now we can show data from multiple modules in one grid on a UX page. Super helpful for comparing and analyzing related info side-by-side.
* @pyrypeura: My favorite new features of 2025 are clearly used in pages and combined grids.
* Anjaneyula Putta: Improves user experience by consolidating multiple views into a single grid, making analysis and reporting more streamlined.
* Poojalakshmi, @lokesh1156, @Pradyumna, @KumariSuman, @shaik970, @Praveen8919639033, @MeghanaDhanokar, @PriyaKumari, Babu12, PujithaB, ShivankurSharma, and parmond.kumar2 all also shared this feature as one of their favorites.
8. Multi-browser tab syncing
When changing context or data on a UX page, you can now view real-time data updates across up to five visible browser tabs without refreshing, streamlining workflows and improving planning efficiency. This feature must be enabled by page builders in the Edit Selectors section under the Overview tab. Multi-browser tab sync gif (end user):
Thoughts from the Community:
* @KirillKuznetsov: Multi-browser tab syncing (from the August release). It may look simple, but it’s significant for users who’ve built their workflow around browser tabs — and we all know it can take time to adjust to a new way of working, especially for new users of the platform.
9. Charts
Updates made to Charts throughout the year:
* Network Charts: This new card type enables customers to visualize their supply chain network in the UX, including visualizing the relationship from Suppliers to Plants to Distribution Centers to Customers and identifying bottlenecks. Use conditional formatting to highlight line items or production issues based on business logic, update the model and see the impact in real time, or model multiple scenarios and see the impact over time. More information available in the official Network Charts release notes.
* Network charts: Connection labels
Users can display labels on network connections based on a selected line item. This will work for horizontal flows only and allow the value to be displayed, providing clearer visibility into flow values and allocations.
* Network charts: Reorder network connection
Users can reorder connection types in network charts, further improving customization and readability of planning visuals.
Thoughts from the Community:* SunnyNafraz: Finally, dramatically improving visualization and scenario planning, the Network Charts feature was released in January 2025, which allows users to visually map relationships between different parts of their business, like a supply chain.
* Scatter and Bubble chart
Page builders can enable the Sizes option in a bubble chart so that the size of each bubble is based on the absolute value of the data point it represents.
10. Hide 'maximize' and 'comments' options on All Cards
Page builders will be able to hide the ‘maximize’ and ‘comments’ options from the Card toolbar on all the cards. Simply disable the toggle option in the new Card settings in the Overview tab. Earlier this year it was released to only Text Cards, Image cards and Field cards but later it was added to all the cards.
11. Re-order uncategorized pages
Page builders can now reorder Uncategorized pages on the Apps contents screen using the grabber icon. They can also drag and drop pages within an app from one category to another, including the Uncategorized section. This enables page builders to create their own custom sequential view of pages to be displayed to end users.
Thoughts from the Community:
* @Prajjwal88: The ability to move or restructure pages across apps without rebuilding them from scratch is incredibly helpful, especially during deployments between lower environments and production.
12. Custom button styling
Page builders can now add custom images for buttons, offering greater flexibility to elevate the design and user experience of pages. Thoughts from the Community:
* namdevgurme: Add images and change button colors to match your dashboard style. Looks great and improves user experience!
* @Pradyumna: Page builders can now add custom images for buttons, offering greater flexibility to enhance the design and user experience of pages.
13. Improved keyboard navigation across cards
Across Boards, Insights, and Worksheets, tab navigation through toolbars in cards and navigating context selectors using the keyboard are now available. This enhancement makes navigation more seamless and inclusive for all users.
14. Multi-cell undo for paste and delete actions in a grid
End users can now use keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + Z for Windows, Cmd+Z for Mac) to undo paste and delete actions directly in the grid, reducing accidental data loss and boosting confidence and speed when making edits. Thoughts from the Community:
* @manchiravi: Although this feature is simple but very impact for end users. It prevents accidental clearing of data but no way getting the data back on their own unless we (model builders) are involved to restore the model.
* Prajjwall88: It prevents accidental data loss and removes the manual cleanup that used to follow a mistaken paste or delete.
15. External URL navigation button
Page builders can configure navigation action buttons to link to external URLs, including non-Anaplan URLs, which will open in a new browser tab. This feature can be used to drive a more connected and streamlined experience by linking to other apps, providing shortcuts to platform pages such as their Workflow task inbox, and linking to external documentation, training, or job aids.
Workflow
16. Workflow: Updates related to Workflow
* Context in notifications: Context labels can now be included in the emails issued to task assignees and approvers. This can be especially useful when approving across multiple products, cost centers, regions, etc. or for user-triggered workflows where tasks and approvals are tied to specific line items. A tenant-level setting controls whether the context label, which is model data, is included in the email notification. The setting is set to off by default.
* Improved task completion checking: Workflow owners can now configure a completion rule to specify whether it should apply to Workflow owners as well as other users. Switching this setting on will mean everyone who completes the task will be forced to abide by the completion rule, reducing the risk of Workflow owners leaving tasks incomplete or inaccurately completed when part of someone else's workflow.
* Group approvals: Workflow owners can configure group tasks to jump straight to the approval stage of the task, allowing for "group approvals" to be configured while maintaining the ability to send work back to assignees should rework be required.
* Bulk notifications: End users who are assigned multiple subtasks as part of a group task can now be set to receive a single notification containing multiple calls-to-action, rather than multiple emails. This makes it easier for approvers to get notifications and less likely that notifications will be missed.
* Assignment filters and assignment data write: Group tasks can now be configured to only pick up context items where a filter Boolean is set, and automatically write Booleans when subtasks are assigned. This brings extra flexibility when using group tasks as part of scaled, scheduled business processes with multiple contributors.
* Reduced emails for Workflow owners: Email notifications to Workflow owners will now, by default, focus on the emails that inform an admin when action is required. Notifications that communicate updates are now turned off by default for Workflow owners, reducing the number of notifications Workflow owners receive and enabling them to focus on where action is needed.
* Custom email contents: Workflow Owners can now write their own notification emails, including custom subject lines, intro text, and outro text. This enhances the experience by providing a more tailored and intuitive message that resonates more closely and drives more effective calls-to-action.
* Extra line items in emails: When sending task or approval notifications, Workflow owners can now provide more context to users and approvers by including hand-picked line items and their values. Tenant Administrators must enable this feature as it exposes model data via email.
17. Workflow Advanced: Multiple features
Workflow Advanced is now available, which includes parallel steps, branch and reconnect, value-based decisions, and send back loops. These features empower businesses to visualize and automate processes with greater speed and confidence. Parallel steps allow multiple approvals to happen in parallel while providing different stakeholders with unique experiences. Branch and reconnect allows steps to be added to both the approval and rejection branch of a decision steps, as well as the reconnection of a branch to another step to bring two branches together. Send back loops allows, at a decision step, that the request can be sent back to a previous step in the workflow, providing a third response option for an approver (Approve, Reject, and Send Back). And value-based decision steps operate similarly to a decision task, but instead of requiring a user to make the decision, a workflow owner can use a value-based decision step to query model data and make the decision based on the model value.
Integrations & Extensibility
18. Anaplan Data Orchestrator (ADO)
* Metering improvements: The metering lozenge on the Overview page now includes consumption of storage and datasets, as well as Daily Usage of data extracts and model links.
* Transformation Blueprint view: The Transformation page now includes Blueprint view, an alternative to Grid view. This view shows details of the transformation definitions and the data type and formula for each column in the transformation. It also displays the order in which transforms are applied, making it easier to debug complex transformations. This view does not require Data Orchestrator to apply the transformation to the data, so it will typically be more responsive than Grid view when working with large datasets.
* Migrations menu item: The import Actions tab can now be found under the Migrations menu item for faster access and to clarify this as a basic migration capability when moving to Data Orchestrator from a classic Data Hub approach. This tab was previously on the Links page.
* Create a transformation view directly from a source dataset: On the Source data page, a transformation view of a source dataset can be created from the ellipsis to the right of the dataset.
* Data lineage map: On the Map page, the display of objects can be organized into swim lanes, providing a more organized display when many objects are shown. Additionally, groups of objects can be collapsed and expanded, allowing the map to be focused on types of flows at different levels. A source/target view is also available as a tab, which auto filters datasets (both source datasets and those derived using transformation views) to provide a view focused on data sources and which models they target.
* Preview dataset when mapping to model or selecting for transformation view: When selecting a dataset to map to a model link or as the source of a transformation view, there is now the option to see a preview of the data in grid view or a definition of the dataset in blueprint view. This feature improves accuracy and efficiency during dataset selection-leading to more reliable models and smoother data transformations.
Thoughts from the Community:* jjayavalli: When mapping datasets, builders can now preview data in either Grid View or Blueprint View, making it much easier to validate structures, formats, and mappings before executing a process.
19. Export to CSV in Anaplan Data Orchestrator
Inventory pages for connections, source data, and links can now be exported to CSV, along with datasets (both source datasets and those derived from transformation views). The files are exported in 500MB segments. Download is currently limited to only the first segment, which would typically be more than 1 million rows.
20. Cloudworks: Self-manage long running process on CloudWorks
CloudWorks users will soon see a button to cancel long running processes on the CloudWorks UI. By being able to cancel jobs independently, users won't have to rely on Anaplan support, which minimizes delays and allows for quicker decision-making. This leads to a more streamlined and autonomous experience for users, enhancing overall productivity. It empowers users to have more control over their processes, improving their efficiency and saving time.
21. Anaplan XL
* General enhancements: Custom time-out queries can now be set, which will override the default time-out for any new connection added to a workbook, regardless of its connection type.
Users will now receive an additional confirmation warning when duplicate members are added to a filter dimension. And, if a user attempts to add a connection that already exists in the workbook, the system will suggest that the existing connection is used.
* Anaplan XL (version 2509) - Anaplan data source: Support has been added for drilling down in Anaplan models.
Improvements have also been made to how unavailable models are handled. If an Anaplan model is unavailable when a workbook is opened, a user can turn off Anaplan XL to prevent further connection error messages from being displayed; Anaplan XL can be reactivated by the user.
Users can now cancel queries and define how long to wait before the Cancel Query button appears.
* Anaplan XL Reporting (version 2510) - Freeform reports: Enhancements to freeform reports include more options for selecting members and navigating within a hierarchy, the ability to see the query text used to refresh a Freeform report, a confirmation message when all data cells or the first column of a freeform report are deleted to prevent unintentional data loss, and the ability to disable all formatting from the Freeform properties window.
* Anaplan XL Reporting (version 2510) - Anaplan data source: Only updated or new values will now be sent to Anaplan, increasing efficiency with how writes are handled. Additionally, custom calculations are now supported when selective access is used.
* Anaplan XL Reporting (version 2507) general enhancements: Support has been added for Anaplan workspace, model and module labels in grid titles and XL3ConnInfo function. Also improved Member Selector by adding an option for users to set a threshold for incrementally loading members. There is also single sign-on (SSO) support for Atoti connections from Anaplan XL Web edition.
* Anaplan XL Reporting (version 2507) Writeback enhancements: The Writeback panel is now available in GA. Support for Anaplan Breakback has been added, as well as an option for Grids and FreeForm reports.
Security & Administration
22. License Management Reporting
With License Management Reporting (LMR), tenant and user administrators can now view, allocate, and track usage against the licenses an organization has purchased. LMR brings transparency and control to license management - streamlining license management and helping further optimize use of Anaplan. License Management Reporting here.
23. Other administration features
* Tenant administrations can assign the Application Owner role to users in their tenant. The user assigned this role will see the applications deployed to their tenant, initiate the generation of an application, and accept a new version update for each application. This role will further enhance operational efficiency with robust application governance.
* UX based audit: Events tracked in Anaplan's central Audit Service now include a variety of activities logged from the UX. This includes when apps and pages are opened, and details of which page type they were.
* Global navigation: End users with access to more than one tenant can now see which features are assigned to their selected tenant when opening the main menu in the global navigation bar. This makes it clear which features can or cannot be used by the logged-in user on the current tenant, enabling users to focus on what's relevant and making the platform more intuitive.
* Limit exception user assignment to Administration only: Tenant Administrators can turn on a "Limit exception user assignment to Administration only" switch to enable only Tenant Security Administrators to assign exception users in Administration. Workspace Administrators will be unable to assign exception users within models.
* IP allowlist enhancement: Tenant security administrators can now import or export IP address policies using a CSV file.
Anaplan Intelligence
24. CoPlanner: Link to relevant pages
CoPlanner can now display up to three direct links to relevant pages in response to a user's question. These links are contextual, personalized based on access permissions. They're designed to help users explore insights, locate where key actions can be taken, and quickly access related content.
25. Anaplan Optimizer log API
Workspace Administrators can download Anaplan Optimizer logs via API for root cause analysis of optimization errors.
Conclusion
This list is not exhaustive and there are many more other features that were released to the platform which did not make it to our top 25. All official release notes are here, and also check out the Community’s top picks in the November Community Challenge blog!
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More from Misbah:
* Top 25 Anaplan features released in 2024
* Five new Anaplan features you may not be using
* Top 25 Anaplan features released in 2023
* Top 25 Anaplan features released in 2022
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Harnessing the power of Combined Grids: A unified experience for developers and end users
Author: Saikrishna Bandaru is a Certified Master Anaplanner and Sr. Anaplan consultant.
Introduction: Why Combined Grids matter
With the October 2025 Anaplan release, one of the most impactful enhancements in the UX is the Combined Grids capability. Combined Grids allow page builders to bring together data from up to five modules into a single, unified grid. This transformation enables planners to analyze inputs and attributes side-by-side, reduces UX clutter, and streamlines real-world workflows.
In this article, I cover:
* What Combined Grids are and how they work
* A real-world example using two modules with user dimension
* Benefits for model builders and end users
* Important observations and limitations
* Best-practice recommendations
What Are Combined Grids?
Combined Grids allow page builders to merge multiple modules into one table without creating new hybrid modules in the model. This means you can:
* View data from several modules in one scrollable grid
* Apply filters and sorts to the primary module
* Reduce white space and simplify UX page layout
* Streamline workflows where users need data and inputs together
Real-world example: Combining assignment inputs with attribute data
In my use case, our Commercial / Mid-Market planning process required users to:
* Update assignment fields such as “Assign New Patch” and “Assign to New AE”
* Simultaneously reference descriptive account attributes such as Industry Vertical, Sector, City, and State
These fields lived in two different modules, both sharing the same primary dimension: Accounts.
Module 1: Assignment Module (Account, User Dimension)
Contains editable input fields:
* Assign New Patch
* Assign to New AE
Module 2: Attribute Module (Account Dimension)
Contains descriptive, read-only attributes:
* Industry Vertical
* Industry Sector
* City
* State
* Additional classification attributes
By using Combined Grids, I was able to merge both modules into a single view so planners could make updates while referencing critical context.
How I built the Combined Grid
Step 1: Open the grid card in Designer Mode.
From the UX page, select the grid → "Edit" → open the View panel.
Step 2: Add the second module.
Inside the View Designer:
* Select “Add Grid Section”
* Choose the Attribute Module (Module 2)
* Ensure dimensions align
Step 3: Arrange the layout.
* Editable input fields appear on the left (yellow-highlighted)
* Attribute fields appear on the right
* This side-by-side design creates a natural workflow
Benefits for end users
* One grid instead of multiple stacked grids
* Fewer clicks and less navigation friction
* Faster decision-making with attributes and inputs in one place
* Reduced cognitive load and clearer planning flow
Benefits for model builders
* No need to create additional combined system modules
* Cleaner UX layout with less duplication
* Faster development and maintenance
* Improved scalability for large applications
Observations and challenges to know about
* Filters must be applied in the primary module
: the first (primary) module controls filtering. Additional modules added as grid sections cannot have independent filters. Recommendation:
design and finalize filters in the primary module before adding more grid sections.
* Combined Grids cannot be saved as templates (yet)
: Unlike other UX cards, Combined Grids cannot be saved as reusable templates.
Recommendation:
document module combinations and recreate grids carefully when needed.
Best practices for designing Combined Grids
* Align dimensions: ensure modules share a common list or user dimension
* Group fields logically: inputs first, attributes after, validations last
* Highlight editable fields: use color to guide user focus
* Keep it lean: don’t overload grids; consider two Combined Grids if needed
* Validate with real users: test readability and scroll behavior
When to use Combined Grids
Use Combined Grids when:
* Multiple modules represent different aspects of the same object (Account, Product, Territory)
* Users update attributes and review context simultaneously
* UX pages feel cluttered with multiple stacked grids
Avoid them when:
* Modules serve unrelated purposes
* The grid becomes too wide to use comfortably
* Different user personas require separate layouts
Conclusion
The Combined Grids feature is a powerful enhancement that improves both model-building efficiency and user experience. In my FY27 planning example, combining assignment fields and account attributes created a streamlined, intuitive workflow that reduced friction and improved decision accuracy.
Combined Grids eliminate UX clutter, simplify navigation, and create a more unified planning experience -it is a valuable addition that unlocks new design possibilities within the Anaplan UX.
Have you tried Combined Grids in your planning applications yet? I’d love to hear your experiences and learn what workflows you’ve enhanced using this feature!
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From alternative to essential: The expansion of private markets
Author: Daniel Dunleavy, Certified Master Anaplanner and Manager at Alpha FMC.
Private markets — once the domain of large institutions and specialized investors — are now playing a central role in how businesses grow and how capital flows through the economy. As the global economy moves into 2026, private investment in companies, infrastructure, real estate, and credit are expanding rapidly, supported by convergence of public into private markets, technological change, and a new wave of industrial investment.
This growth reflects more than investor enthusiasm. Private markets are increasingly financing the real economy: building data centers, funding manufacturers, supporting logistics networks, and providing long-term capital to businesses that public markets struggle to serve. At the same time, access to private investments is broadening, bringing these markets closer to everyday investors.
Macro environment: stability, productivity, and reinvestment
Consumer spending remains resilient, and economic growth continues, albeit at a slower pace [1]. Inflation has moderated significantly, hovering below 3% [2]. Short-term interest rates are expected to trend downward, improving financing conditions and valuation clarity.
Labor markets show modest softening, driven largely by productivity gains from artificial intelligence rather than cyclical weakness [3]. AI adoption is enabling businesses to increase output with fewer incremental workers, supporting margins and encouraging capital investment.
More broadly, the economy is undergoing an industrial renaissance. Significant capital is being deployed across infrastructure, energy transition, data centers, defense, advanced manufacturing, and robotics. AI-driven growth is accelerating demand for both digital and energy infrastructure — sectors well suited for long-duration private capital. Demographic trends further support private markets as baby boomer retirements and private wealth growth drive demand for income-oriented and diversified investment solutions. Increased clarity around tariffs and trade policy has also reduced uncertainty, encouraging onshoring and domestic investment.
Private market momentum and capital formation
Investor demand for private markets remains strong with fundraising increasing approximately 38% year over year [4], supported by improving confidence in transaction markets. M&A activity has rebounded, with larger transactions and a pickup in IPOs signaling healthier exit conditions. Dry powder grew 15% from the prior year, providing substantial capacity to invest across cycles [4].
Assets under management continue to grow across strategies, with credit and multi-asset platforms leading. Inflows outpaced outflows by nearly two to one, while acquisitions increased 56% year over year, primarily in real assets. Fee-related earnings grew roughly 20.7% year over year, and management fees expanded at double-digit rates for most firms, led by strong growth at Blue Owl (+30% YoY) [4].
Returns remain competitive, with private equity modestly outperforming credit, and real assets lagging [4] but positioned for recovery as valuations stabilize, partially reflecting expectations of further interest rate declines.
Public-private convergence and channel expansion
A defining feature of today’s private markets is the expansion of access points, accelerating convergence with public markets, most notably demonstrated by the following:
* Private wealth individual investors looking to add private market investments to their portfolio where returns typically outpace public markets.
* Insurance platforms are increasingly important providers of perpetual capital, supporting long-duration credit and real asset strategies. Partnerships such as Blackstone–Legal & General and Blue Owl’s acquisition of Kuvare reflect this trend.
* Institutional investors are consolidating GP relationships, favoring top performing managers and companies offering comprehensive, multi-asset solutions.
* Traditional asset managers represent a large potential source of capital as private investments are embedded in mutual funds, ETFs, and structured products.
* Retirement channels may prove transformative. An executive order signed in August easing 401(k) restrictions on private market exposure — pending rule-making — signals a significant long-term opportunity. Early partnerships, such as Blue Owl with Voya Financial, highlight strategic positioning.
Together, these channels are broadening the investor base and reinforcing private markets as a core allocation.
Private credit
Private credit has become one of the fastest-growing areas within private markets. Credit quality remains solid as delinquencies are on the decline [5]. While there has been an uptick in subprime auto lending defaults recently and the Tricolor and First Brands bankruptcies were isolated incidents related to fraud (bank-led and bank-syndicated led credit, not private credit), this is not a systemic risk to the private credit markets. Institutional demand for private investment-grade credit and semi-liquid products is growing. Core credit, ABF, and direct lending strategies are all seeing increased demand. ABF strategies are benefiting from collateral-based cash flows, inflation-adjustable pricing, and operational improvement opportunities. Despite its growth, direct lending totals approximately $1.7 trillion, relatively small compared to the $145 trillion global fixed-income market [6]. Increasingly, large corporations are turning to private credit for customized, long-duration financing which are difficult to replicate in the public markets.
Private equity
Private equity faces a more disciplined environment as institutional investors manage liquidity constraints and reduce the number of GP relationships. This favors large, differentiated platforms with strong sourcing, operational capabilities, and flexible capital solutions.
One standout investment strategy experiencing growth is Sports Capital. Firms are taking increasing interest in investing in Sports with Apollo Sports Capital (interest in Atletico de Madrid and Wrexham) and TPG Sports (partnering with Rory McIlroy and Sean O’Flaherty) launched this year along with Blue Owl’s GCP Strategic Capital Platform’s professional minority stakes strategy.
Real assets
Real assets are re-emerging as a growth area, particularly in residential, industrial, and data center sectors. Strategic acquisitions — such as Apollo’s purchase of Bridge Investment Group, Ares’ acquisition of GCP International, TPG’s acquisition of Peppertree Capital, and Blue Owl’s acquisitions of Prima and IPI and partnership with Qatar Investment Authority — underscore renewed conviction. Commercial real estate values appear to have bottomed in late 2023 and are recovering gradually. On the residential side, housing starts seem to have bottomed out with an expected slow, gradual recovery [7]. Long term demand for logistics and digital infrastructure remains strong, supported by e-commerce, AI, and energy needs. Recent examples of logistics include Ares consolidating under Marq Logistics and KKR launching Galaxy Container Solutions.
What this means for private markets
Private markets have evolved from alternatives to essential components of global capital markets. Channel expansion, increased investor demand, improved transaction environment, and macroeconomic AI and infrastructure headwinds have positioned this asset class for sustained growth. As companies in the private markets continue to grow, their planning needs have become more complex and require more scalable, actionable, and flexible solutions. From fundraising and deal management to portfolio and cash management, these companies are looking to operationally and strategically improve their planning processes. Over the past year, Alpha has worked with many of the major clients in the private markets space improving their planning capabilities. Some of the areas to highlight use cases are Asset & Portfolio Management, Credit Operations, and Finance Operations.
Questions? Leave a comment!
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Sources
* Personal Consumption Expenditures and GDP (FRED)
* Inflation (BLS)
* Unemployment (BLS)
* SEC Filings
* Delinquencies (FFIEC)
* Direct Lending Market (KKR Q3 Earnings Call)
* Housing Starts (FRED) and Housing Expectations (Blackstone Q3 Earnings Call)
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Accessible by design: Our new accommodations for certification exams
Taking a proctored exam can be intimidating, even for the most seasoned professionals. While certification validates a learner’s skills and expertise, the exam environment itself can sometimes pose unnecessary barriers.
Our goal is to test your ability, not your endurance. That’s why we’ve made significant updates to make our exam experience more inclusive and less stressful. You can now utilize a range of accommodations, including extended time, assistive technology, comfort items, and access to resources like Anapedia, to create an environment that helps you perform your best.
The goal of the recent modifications we championed was simple but meaningful: to ensure that Anaplan certification exams focus on measuring skills and knowledge, not how well someone navigates a test under pressure. By introducing thoughtful accommodations into the standard exam experience, we’re creating a more inclusive, equitable, and learner-centered certification journey.
Why these modifications matter
We know that a proctored environment can create discomfort, distractions, and stress. Our vision is to make sure that every learner, regardless of their personal circumstances or needs, can approach the exam with confidence and focus on demonstrating what they know.
The changes are designed to minimize avoidable friction during the exam process, support accessibility, and ensure that we uphold the integrity of the certification while honoring diverse learning and testing needs.
What’s now part of the standard certification exam experience
The following accommodations are now available to all learners taking an Anaplan certification exam online. Users that take the exam in-person will NOT receive the same accommodations.
* Access to specific Anaplan learning resources like Anaplan Planual, Anaplan Community, and Anaplan Anapedia.
* Physical whiteboard usage is allowed with clear security protocols: no pen and paper, and the board must be shown erased before ending the session.
* IMPORTANT: Please note that pens and paper are not allowed during exam taking to prevent any questions from leaking and to protect the integrity of the exam.
* Extended exam times for those who need more processing time
* Use of medical devices, ensuring health needs don’t become barriers
* Music or ambient sounds in the background to help ease anxiety
* Leniency with eye-tracking requirements, recognizing natural movements and accessibility needs
* Breaks as needed
* Comfort items (will be coordinated with the proctor during exam taking)
* Comfort or service animals to support learners with disabilities
* Drinks and water, so staying hydrated isn’t a privilege
* Permission to move around/stretch, reducing physical strain during long sessions
* Screen reader or text-to-speech support for those who benefit from auditory processing
* Assistive technology such as magnifiers, dictation tools, or alternative input devices
Putting learners first while protecting exam integrity
Each accommodation was carefully considered to balance accessibility and security. This ensures that candidates have the flexibility they need without compromising the credibility of their certification.
This change isn’t just operational; it’s cultural. It reflects our commitment to meeting learners where they are, fostering trust in the certification process, and empowering every candidate to succeed based on merit.
Looking ahead
These modifications are just the beginning. As we continue to evolve the certification program, we’ll keep listening to feedback, removing barriers, and driving improvements that make the experience fair, inclusive, and supportive for all.
Certification should reflect what someone knows, not how well they adapt to discomfort. And now, we’re one step closer to making that a reality.
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[Polaris] Allow for the use of Suppress 0's functionality on saved views for Model to Model exports
In as much detail as possible, describe the problem or experience related to your idea. Please provide the context of what you were trying to do and include specific examples or workarounds: While understanding there are potential updates in the works, an alternative solution for Model to Model import challenges within Polaris could be allowing for the use of Suppress 0's in saved views instead of native filtering. With the updates to allow for more rows on the pivot, being able to use saved views with the suppress 0's functionality can replace the vast majority of filtering. Currently you are not allowed to save a view with suppress 0's.
How often is this impacting your users? Frequent
Who is this impacting? All Polaris Users
What would your ideal solution be? How would it add value to your current experience?
This minimize the need for exports with many dimensions to have to be made 'flat'. Making flat exports with lots of dimensions requires multiple staging modules and at times the use of the text fields or item names.
Please include any images to help illustrate your experience.
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Forecasting tuition revenue with confidence: A finance leader’s playbook
Author: Lucas Proa Filippi, Senior Consultant and Certified Master Anaplanner.
Forecasting tuition revenue is one of the most consequential planning exercises in higher education. For many institutions, it represents the single largest source of operating revenue. Even small forecasting errors can ripple across recruitment, facilities planning, debt service, and strategic investments. Yet, despite its strategic importance, tuition forecasting is still too often treated like a spreadsheet problem. Forecasts are built on static assumptions, linear extrapolations, and discounting logic that does not reflect how headcount, pricing, and aid behave in reality.
This article is based on the tuition revenue forecasting workshop I delivered recently. It reflects years of implementation experience with R1 universities, state systems, community colleges, and academic medical centers. It is written for finance leaders who need clarity and confidence to navigate volatility with sound financial planning.
1. Why tuition forecasting is more than a financial exercise
Before looking at techniques and modeling, it is important to understand why tuition forecasting matters. It is not simply a way to produce a revenue number. It is an essential input for decision making at multiple time horizons. Each horizon comes with its own accuracy requirements, data needs, and stakeholders.
Short-term forecasting supports the budget cycle, scheduling, and recruitment. At this horizon, even a ten percent error can have immediate operational consequences. Mid-term forecasting informs faculty allocation, facilities planning, and program mix decisions. The tolerance for error is slightly wider, but the stakes remain high because these decisions shape the institution’s capacity. Long-term forecasting is less about accuracy and more about clarity. It is about testing scenarios, understanding exposure, and aligning financial planning with strategic positioning.
A common mistake is to treat these horizons the same, applying a single forecasting method to fundamentally different planning problems. A model designed to generate a budget forecast is not the same as one used to support capital planning. Recognizing this distinction is the first step toward building a more resilient forecasting process.
2. What really drives tuition revenue
Tuition forecasting starts with what looks like a simple formula:
\text{Net Tuition Revenue} = \text{Headcount} \times (\text{Tuition Rate} - \text{Discounts})
The simplicity is deceptive. Each of these components is shaped by multiple forces. Headcount is not just “enrollment.” Price is not just the number set by the board. Discounts are not a single percentage. Finance leaders need to understand and model the underlying levers, not just the top line.
Headcount: more than a number
Headcount is a living system. It begins with new students, evolves through continuing student retention, and shifts over time through transfers, dual enrollment, and special populations.
New student enrollment is influenced by demand and capacity. On the demand side, factors such as application volume, admit rates, yield, and market demographics all matter. Marketing activity can increase applications but does not always improve yield. Economic conditions, including employment rates and household income, shape who chooses to enroll. On the capacity side, many institutions face constraints: seats, housing, and faculty. High demand does not translate to higher enrollment if the institution cannot absorb it.
Continuing students it’s a different story. Retention and graduation rates are powerful revenue drivers. They tend to be more stable than new student flows, but because they compound across cohorts, small shifts in retention can have a large impact on revenue over time. Retention is also sensitive to academic quality, advising, affordability, and macroeconomic context, but much less than New students.
Transfers and special populations further complicate the picture. Students moving in or out, veterans, employer-sponsored learners, or dual-enrolled high school students behave differently when it comes to retention and pricing. Headcount cannot be treated as a single plug-in value. A meaningful tuition forecast must model these flows explicitly.
Price: A lever and a signal
Sticker tuition and fees may appear to be administrative inputs tied to inflation targets or board policy. In practice, price is both a revenue lever and a market signal. Modest tuition increases can raise perceived quality and yield in certain segments. Sharp increases can depress demand or push students to competitors. Program-level differentials, such as STEM surcharges or online program pricing, introduce variation that needs to be tracked.
Fees often shift net price without formally raising tuition, but they still affect yield and enrollment. Forecasting revenue is not just multiplying headcount by sticker price. Price interacts with demand. Ignoring this interaction leads to overconfidence and poor planning.
Discounts and aid: Where the simple model breaks
Discounting is where simple models fail. Many institutions treat it as a flat percentage applied after tuition is set. In reality, institutional aid policies, grants, athletic scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer contributions create complex, non-linear effects on net revenue. Two institutions with the same sticker price and enrollment can have very different net tuition because their aid strategies differ.
A five percent increase in the discount rate does not necessarily lead to a five percent decrease in net revenue. It might increase yield, attract a different population, or change retention behavior. There are advanced ways to model this, such as award-band modelling and yield–aid response curves, which are beyond the scope of this article. The key point is that discounting is not static and deserves careful treatment.
Interdependencies: It’s all connected
None of these drivers act in isolation. Increasing aid affects yield, which affects headcount, which can strain capacity and add costs. Price affects perceived quality, which shapes demand, which in turn influences retention. Retention rates respond differently to macroeconomic shocks than first-year demand. The launch of new online programs can relax seat constraints and change the entire structure of the problem.
These feedback loops explain why tuition forecasting is systemic. It is not about predicting a single number. It is about making the structure visible, testing scenarios, and understanding where the institution is exposed.
3. Forecasting methods: Matching tools to the problem
Once the drivers are understood, the next step is deciding how to project them forward. There is no universal best method. Each forecasting approach fits different goals and levels of uncertainty. The art lies in using the right combination for the right purpose.
Judgmental and scenario-based forecasting
Judgmental forecasting relies on informed assumptions rather than statistical modeling. It is particularly useful in environments where political or regulatory uncertainty dominates, such as state funding, visa rules, or tuition policy. In these cases, data alone will not give the answer. Scenario building provides a structured way to think. When assumptions are explicit and transparent, they can be debated and revised. This is precisely where a platform like Anaplan excels: it makes judgment visible.
Extrapolation and trend methods
In stable environments, simple trend methods can work. Linear or exponential extrapolation can be effective for short-term projections of retention rates in mature programs with fixed capacity. This is often appropriate for in-year revenue forecasting where volatility is limited. But these methods fail when structural shifts, such as demographic decline or sudden policy changes, occur.
Statistical and AI or ML forecasting
Where good data exists, statistical models sharpen forecasts. Regression can capture price elasticity. Time series models can account for seasonality. Machine learning can uncover non-linear relationships between drivers. These methods do not replace human judgment but add discipline and help reduce error. They are especially useful for retention forecasting and for understanding how competitor pricing affects yield.
Cohort modeling: Capturing the lifecycle
Cohort modeling is at the heart of serious tuition forecasting. It tracks each entering class over time, following students through retention, progression, and graduation. This reflects a basic truth: year-three headcount depends on year-zero enrollment. A strong or weak retention year cascades forward. Cohort modeling makes that dependency explicit. When implemented well, it allows institutions to see the medium-term financial impact of short-term fluctuations.
In Anaplan, cohort grids make it easy to track retention by program or population, simulate program expansions or contractions, and test intake scenarios. Institutions often see their biggest forecasting improvements at this stage, not because they adopted complex models but because they modeled how enrollment actually works.
Blending methods intelligently
The most resilient tuition forecasting models combine these approaches. Scenario thinking frames strategic uncertainties. Extrapolation anchors stable trends. Statistical models sharpen specific estimates. Cohort modeling ties everything together structurally. This layered approach allows institutions to operate under uncertainty without being paralyzed by it.
4. From concept to execution: Building a forecasting process
A good forecast is not just a clever model. It is a process. Even the best methods mean little without clear goals, clean data, and a disciplined review cycle.
The first step is to define the purpose of the forecast and the stakeholders involved. A forecast used for budgeting should be structured differently from one used for long-term capital planning. Knowing the level of accuracy required and what decisions the forecast will inform prevents both over-engineering and under-engineering.
The next step is to align data sources. Many institutions underestimate how much this matters. Finance headcount and census headcount often diverge. Using the wrong one for the wrong purpose can create distortions. External data sources such as IPEDS, College Scorecard, and macroeconomic indicators should be carefully selected and documented. Good forecasting depends on data governance as much as on methodology.
Model building should start simple. A minimal viable cohort structure with documented assumptions is better than an opaque spreadsheet. Accuracy testing and assumption review should be part of the build. Transparency is essential: if stakeholders cannot see and challenge the assumptions, the forecast will not be trusted.
Publishing assumptions is not a bureaucratic step but the foundation of adaptability. When interest rates, demographics, or policies shift, institutions can revisit the assumption rather than rebuild the model. Because tuition forecasting is dynamic, regular review is essential. Forecasts built once a year and forgotten quickly become liabilities.
5. Why Anaplan fits this problem
While these forecasting principles are tool-agnostic, Anaplan’s architecture fits tuition forecasting exceptionally well. Its multidimensional structure allows institutions to model headcount, price, and discounts in ways spreadsheets cannot. It supports scenario toggles, transparency, and shared ownership across finance, enrollment, and academic units. Most importantly, it allows institutions to model tuition as the complex, interdependent system it really is.
Anaplan makes it possible to combine judgmental, statistical, and cohort-based methods in a single governed environment. This gives finance leaders a way to manage uncertainty while maintaining analytical discipline.
6. Common pitfalls to avoid
Even strong institutions make predictable mistakes in tuition forecasting. One is treating headcount as a single number rather than a flow. Another is assuming price increases have no behavioral effects. Many institutions collapse discounting into a single static rate, even though aid strategy is one of their most powerful levers. Others rely on a single forecasting method instead of layering them appropriately. And perhaps the most common of all: hiding assumptions in personal spreadsheets, which undermines transparency and agility.
Each of these mistakes is avoidable. They do not require massive technology investments, just better structure, governance, and alignment between modeling and strategy.
7. Forecasting as strategic infrastructure
Tuition forecasting is not about building a perfect model. It is about building a resilient one. It is about giving finance leaders a transparent, adaptable structure that improves strategic decision making. A two percent improvement in first-year retention can be worth millions in future revenue. A poorly timed tuition increase can erode yield faster than cost-cutting can offset. These are not operational details. They are strategic inflection points.
Institutions that treat forecasting as strategic infrastructure, rather than as a compliance chore, are the ones best positioned to navigate volatility with confidence.
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About the Author
: Lucas Proa Filippi is a Senior Consultant and Certified Master Anaplanner at Tru Consulting, Anaplan’s leading higher education partner. He has designed and implemented forecasting solutions for R1 universities, public systems, and academic medical centers across the United States and Latin America. Lucas is an economist with a focus on forecasting and AI applications for multi-product, multi-market problems.
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’Twas the sprint before go-live
Author: Brent Orr is a Certified Master Anaplanner and Global Data Architect at Accenture.
Set to the tune of 'Twas the night before Christmas'.
’Twas the sprint before go-live
’Twas the sprint before go-live, when all through the model,
Not a calc was circular, not even a toddle.
The blue cells were sparse, all formatted with care,
In hopes that St. Planual soon would be there.
The end users nestled all snug in their seats,
While visions of UX cards danced with their sheets.
And I with my laptop, and they with their asks,
Had just settled in for a few final tasks.
When out in Dev tenant there arose such a clatter,
I alt-tabbed from Slack to see what was the matter.
Away to the history log I flew like a flash,
Tore open the ALM pane — please don’t crash.
The source–target mapping on the new import flow
Gave the luster of horror to objects below.
When what to my bloodshot eyes should appear,
But “Dimension mismatch” and an ominous sneer.
With a grizzled old builder so lively and spry,
I knew in a moment it surely was… me (oh my).
More rapid than CloudWorks my fixes they came,
I whistled and muttered and called lists by name:
“Now L1! Now L2! Now L3 unite!
On Variant! On Style! On Category bright!”
To the top of the hierarchy — don’t you dare fall!
Now aggregate, aggregate, aggregate all!
As SYS modules soar when good builders try,
When they meet a hard problem and refuse to ask “Why?”,
So up to the blueprint my cursor then flew,
With a brain full of mappings, and a lookup or two.
And then, in a heartbeat, I heard on the chat
The pinging and dinging of “Can you just… fix that?”
As I turned to the UX and was spinning around,
Down fell a card with no context to be found.
It was dressed all in grids, from the headers to base,
And the layout was tangled, all over the place.
Its line items twinkled, its formats looked right,
But Sums mixed with Lookups? A terror at night.
A SELECT on a list hiding deep in the code —
I winced, for such sin might cause Prod to explode.
The eyes of the client — how they started to glow!
Their emails like snowflakes began to bestow:
“Just one tiny change,” they said with a grin,
“Can we pivot fake time and add Climate back in?”
I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,
Untangling logic where gremlins might lurk.
I duplicated modules, but lean, not obscene,
Then pushed all the logic to SYS, nice and clean.
I mapped each product level, from fine up to broad,
With booleans so tidy they made users applaud.
Each LOOKUP and SUM had a crisp single role,
No SELECTs in target, no rogue top-level goal.
The UX got reshaped with a deft little click,
I turned off the totals that recalced not quick.
Then context selectors—just one, not a herd—
Drove every dimension with one simple word.
The performance returned, every calc running fast,
No more stalling rollups like ghosts of the past.
And users exclaimed as they tested with glee,
“This page actually works how we thought it would be!”
I flipped to ALM with a satisfied sigh,
Compared Dev to Prod with a critical eye.
Then pressed “Create Revision,” with fingers crossed tight,
And deployed to Production that cold winter night.
The jobs all completed with nary a hitch,
Not one lonely error, not one broken switch.
And I stepped from my desk into winter’s soft light,
Breathing out a blessing for models done right:
“May your logic stay elegant, your futures bright—
Happy planning to all, and to all a good night!”
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Inspired by the best: Master Anaplanner insights to close out the year
Hello, Anaplan Community!
What an amazing year it’s been! As we look back on 2025, I am absolutely blown away by the spirit of collaboration and support that defines our community. Every single day, you all show up for each other, sharing knowledge, solving complex challenges, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
This year, you collectively posted over 1,500 questions and provided an incredible 4,000+ answers! That represents thousands of moments of connection, learning, and progress. Thank you for making this community the vibrant, helpful, and indispensable resource that it is.
⭐️ Community Champions of 2025!
I want to give a special shout-out to some of our most active and helpful members this year. Your contributions have not gone unnoticed, and your willingness to jump in and help others is the bedrock of this community. A huge round of applause for a few of our top commenters: @devrathahuja @Dikshant @rob_marshall @seymatas1 @Tiffany.Rice @Prajjwal88 @andrewtye @SriNitya @logikalyan and @alexpavel.
🏆️ Perspectives from Anaplan Certified Master Anaplanners
One of my favorite parts of this community is learning from the best of the best. To celebrate the year, I asked five of our brilliant Certified Master Anaplanners to share their biggest wins from 2025 and what they’re aiming for in 2026.
I hope their stories inspire you as much as they’ve inspired me!
Junqi Xue, Certified Master Anaplanner and Solution Architect at valantic
For Junqi, 2025 was all about building a deeper, more versatile skill set and giving back to the community. Here's what he had to say:
"Here are my learnings from 2025:
Built my foundational knowledge:
a. Completed trainings on ADO, Polaris, Workflow, and tried finding their use cases in our projects and proposals across functions, e.g. finance and supply chain.
b. Attended the workshop for the Anaplan SC APP, getting to understand the capabilities of Anaplan Apps more in details, advocated and shared the knowledge with my internal colleagues.
Enhanced capability: I implemented two complicated use cases of Optimizer (production planning, resource allocation and planning), including the analysis of the results.
Community growth: Some interesting new functions were suggested and added to the valantic Anaplan extension this year, namely the visualization of the line items, list items, or anything, that is used as filter in saved views. Along with the visualization of actions/processed used on the UX. As a result, now the model clean up is even easier, especially solving the pain point of not being blind anymore."
Junqi's target for 2026: "Gather more hands-on experience on the Polaris engine."
Julie Ziemer, Business Solutions Architect at Royalty Pharma, LLC
Julie and her team drove a true transformation in how their organization approaches planning. In her own words:
"This past year has been a truly transitional step forward in our Anaplan journey, driven by myself and my team. What began as an effort to modernize financial modeling has evolved into a full-blown transformation in how we plan, connect data, and collaborate across departments.
We've successfully built and streamlined the foundation of our models, providing a clearer, real-time view of performance and forecasts. This means significantly fewer spreadsheets (win!) and far more confidence in our numbers. Along the way, we rigorously tested, refined our logic, and constantly reminded ourselves that “version control” is not a lifestyle choice, but a life-saving best practice. The progress hasn’t just been about automation; it’s been about building a sustainable framework that enables us to work smarter, not harder.
Looking ahead, our team's focus is on expanding Anaplan’s role in financial reporting, bringing greater automation, transparency, and storytelling to our data. To ensure long-term success, we’re laying the groundwork for a Center of Excellence (CoE) to help our models, processes, and people thrive as a connected Anaplan community."
Julie's goals for 2026:
* "To ensure 100% adoption of Anaplan by all finance team members, completely moving away from legacy systems to establish a single source of truth for planning and reporting.
* To lead the integration of Anaplan beyond the finance function into a new business area, such as research or HR planning, to foster true connected planning across the entire organization."
Wenwei Liu, Anaplan Systems Architect at Atlassian
Wenwei’s journey from consulting to an internal role gave her a powerful new perspective. She shares:
"Through my transition from Anaplan Consulting to the internal Anaplan team, I gained a fundamentally different perspective on how Anaplan supports business connected planning from the customer side. A key accomplishment was contributing to a large-scale model rebuild project that deepened my understanding of the platform's capabilities and identified critical customer needs. This shift from external consultant to internal team member positioned me to bridge consulting expertise with product strategy, uncovering pain points and opportunities that will drive more customer-centric solutions."
Wenwei's goal for next year: "Leverage emerging AI capabilities and new Anaplan features to enhance the connected planning experience for our users, while improving efficiency in model building and internal support processes."
Dmitry Sorokin, Senior Software Engineer at lululemon
Dmitry focused on the power of collaboration and technical excellence to elevate his company's Anaplan ecosystem. He reflects:
"2025 was a year of collaboration and learning. I focused on simplifying complex model logic to reduce calculation times and enhance the user experience across our Anaplan Connected Planning ecosystem. I also partnered with engineering to streamline integration pipelines, improving data refresh speed and overall reliability."
Dmitry's goal for 2026: "I’m excited to continue mentoring new model builders while expanding my architecture expertise. I plan to explore new ways to leverage AI in model building, automated testing, and planning workflows."
Ekaterina Garina, EPM Consultant at Keyrus
Ekaterina spent her year strengthening Connected Planning by bridging the gap between finance and procurement for her clients. She explains:
"This year, I worked closely with clients to strengthen their FP&A capabilities in Anaplan, helping leaders gain clearer insights and make more confident, data-driven decisions. A major highlight was delivering equipment-level variance analysis that improved visibility into cost drivers and simplified performance explanations for stakeholders. Procurement reporting was enhanced through the introduction of clear price and volume impact breakdowns, enabling a deeper understanding of spend movements. These initiatives strengthened Connected Planning by aligning finance and procurement around shared outcomes and consistent insights."
Ekaterina's goal for 2026: "I look forward to continuing to deliver scalable, high-impact solutions that help organizations plan faster and respond more effectively to change."
Now, it's your turn!
What an inspiring collection of achievements! Now, I want to hear from YOU.
What was your biggest win of 2025? What are you looking forward to tackling in 2026? Share your story in the comments below!
Happy planning,
Ginger Anderson
Sr. Manager, Community & Engagement Programs
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