User Guide > UserInterface > Forecasts > Forecast

Forecast

Forecasts calculate the estimated runtime of executable objects. The calculated result is stored in the form of forecast records.

Open the forecast windows by clicking the button or use the corresponding command in the View menu.

Usage

Highlight the object for which a forecast should be created. Execute the command forecast... which is available in the context menu. The window shown below opens:

The object name is used as the forecast name. A run number is attached to the object name if a forecast of this name already exists. The forecast name can also be changed. Note that it is not possible to use an existing name for the new forecast.

Forecasts of type object and task are available. Type task is available if the forecast should be created for an active task that is shown in the Activity Window.

Type object: The current day and time are pre-completed as starting points for the forecast. You can change both of them and influence runtime calculation because calendar conditions are taken into account.
Type task: The RunID of an execution is required for the forecast. By default, the RunID of the highlighted task is pre-completed. The execution date and start time are used. In periodical tasks, the period for forecast calculation can be determined when a number of day is specified.

A further specification is available if a group or groups are involved in the execution. You can select how their runtimes should be included in the forecast calculation.

Click OK. The runtime is calculated and a forecast record is created. The forecast window opens automatically.

Read more about forecast calculations in the chapter "Inside UC4".

Forecast Window

All existing forecasts are listed in this window. You can switch the table content's order by clicking on a column's title bar.

Column	Description
Name	Name of the created forecast.
User	User who has created the forecast.
Logical start	Specified starting date of the task.
Estimated end	Estimated end time of this task.
Status	Expected end status of this task.
Runtime	Average runtime of this task.

Context Menu

Command	Description
List View	The selected forecasts are displayed in the "List View" table format.
Rename	The name of the saved forecast can be changed.
Delete	The selected forecast is deleted.
Export to file...	The forecast window's content can be exported to its own file with the extension .csv.
Details List Large icons	Type of forecast display

List View

This view either shows selected forecasts in the form of a tree structure or in table form.

Context menu

Command	Description
Detail	The determined details for selected tasks are displayed in a special window.
Last Report	The last report for the selected task is displayed.
Statistics	The saved statistical data for a selected task is displayed.
Expand all	Opens all the tree structure's nodes
Collapse all	Closes all the tree structure's nodes
Expand	Opens selected nodes of the tree structure
Collapse	Closes selected nodes of the tree structure
Show/hide tree	The tree structure view is activated or deactivated.
Export to file...	Exports the list view's content to a CSV file

Script Elements

The script functions FORECAST_OBJECT and FORECAST_TASK are additionally available for the creation of forecasts.