Using Workflow to schedule Optimizer actions

ThuenerA

After building your shiny new module and Optimizer action, you might be thinking, “Now do I really have to remember to press the button every single time?”

Many clients want the flexibility to schedule their actions, whether it’s running an optimization with each new demand update or setting up jobs to run automatically every day or week at a specific time. That’s why having the power to automate and precisely time Optimizer actions is a true game changer for modern planning.

We have just released the integration with Anaplan Workflow and Optimizer. Now Optimizer actions can be part of your Workflow process. Some of the features that are interesting for Optimizer users:
📅 Scheduling - a natural fit for clients who want to run optimization actions at specific times.
✅ Data approvals - useful for approving new figures before running the next decision model.
🎯 Value-based decisions - for example, using a Boolean to check whether new data is available, then only running Optimizer when it’s worth it.
🔔 Notification steps - great for keeping stakeholders informed, especially at the end of a process when everything has been completed.

In this tutorial, we will show how users can schedule a workflow in 2 easy steps.

1️⃣ Create a Template.

Go to Workflow and create a new Template:

Give it a name and description.
Add a new step machine step and set the task details (title and description):

In the Select Action section, set the process that has the Optimizer action.

2️⃣ Start the workflow:

At the bottom, select “Start on a certain date, or repeat on a schedule”:

Now you need to set the time/day that the action will run. You can use the days of the week or the month and set an end date. In my case, I’m setting it to run on Tuesday and Thursday at 09:00. Then just click Start.

You can see details of all your scheduled workflows in the schedule section; there you can also delete or pause the schedules:

With Workflow and Optimizer integration, you can finally retire your sticky notes and alarm clocks! Now, the Anaplan interface takes care of automating your runs and all those repetitive reminders. Whether you want to optimize on demand or have your processes run like clockwork, you’re in control. Sit back, relax, and let the Workflow and Optimizer do the heavy lifting.

PS: You can also use action APIs and Anaplan Connect to automate Optimizer runs, but it is much easier to do so using Workflow.

Please note: The articles in our Best Practices section are authored by Anaplan internal experts to provide thought leadership, technical guidance, and educational tutorials. Because every customer environment is unique, these best practices, including any custom code, scripts, or formulas, are provided "as-is" and may not apply directly to your specific use case. Customers are responsible for testing and adapting these solutions for their own environments. Please note that standard Anaplan Support does not cover the troubleshooting, maintenance, or custom modification of code or implementations derived from these articles.