Baseline transactions are transactions that would be applicable to your new program line if they took place in the previous period, using transactional data for the previous period.
For example: If a program line is configured for January 1st 2025 to December 31st 2025, then the baseline transactions would be calculated using existing transactions from between January 1st 2024 to December 31st 2024.
Automated baselines for growth programs (i.e. program lines using a growth targets mechanism) are automatically calculated using existing data. Calculations for automated baselines are triggered when a program line’s configuration is changed or the trading program’s workflow starts. The baseline figures are calculated by summing the applicable transactions in the baseline period (i.e. the same dates in the previous period).
Once a trading program is locked and workflow has started, its baseline values will not change and the automated values will be locked. The program would need to be unlocked to make any changes.
If required, you can choose to use manual baselines instead in a program line’s settings. Growth program lines using separate target and earnings are also supported; the baseline is calculated using only the target transactions.
If the trading program is for the next period but the current period has not yet been completed, baseline transactions will use the forecast instead of the current baseline transactions.
For example: A program line is configured for January 1st 2025 to December 31st 2025, but is set up on October 1st 2024. The trading partner has a transactional value to date of $3,000,000. Since we are 75% through the year, the forecasted baseline transactions for the 2025 program would be $4,000,000.