Version

Although, conceptually, a calculation is like an individual sheet within a spreadsheet application, traditional spreadsheets don't have the concept of a version.  Once a calculation is created and rows and columns added, version's store the individual cell values.

If your plan provides multiple versions, you can create multiple calculation versions and store different cell values that are stored in other versions.

If your plan provides comparing versions, the user can choose to compare two versions to see the versions side-by-side including a "Variance" version that is generated based on the comparison.

Multiple versions of a calculation can be used in a variety of ways.  For example:

• Department cost tracking - At the beginning of a year, a department manager can create a budget that includes all planned costs.  As the year progresses, the manager may need to revise the budget.  Rather than changing the initial budget, a new version of the calculation can be created copying from the initial budget.  With the revised budget version, the manager can make necessary changes to the revised version.  Once a second version is created, the manager can then choose to compare the two versions to understand over the course of the year, what changes were made and plan better for the upcoming year.
• Project management - A project manager can create a project work breakdown structure for the contracted planned costs.  As work is being performed, it's common for the client to want to make changes.  When the first change order is received, the project manager can create a new version by copying the initial version and then make the necessary changes.  If future change orders come in, the current version can be updated or a third version created to track new changes.
• Budget vs. actual - Another use of multiple versions is for tracking budget vs. actual.  A version can be created that stores the budget amount with a second version used for tracking actual amount.  By using the version comparison, the user can track budget and actual variances over time.