Method and apparatus for graphic analysis of variation of economic plans

• US 5,727,161 A
• Filed: 09/16/1994
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Planscan LLC
• Original Assignee: Planscan LLC
• Inventors: Purcell, W. Richard Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tkacs, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US08/307,946
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 364/408, 364/402, 364/401, 364/406, 395/140, 395/141, 395/142, 395/143, 395/144, 395/145, 395/147, 395/148, 395/155, 395/161
• US Class Current: 705/7.36
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/18 of spreadsheets form-filling G06F40/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

Graphic analyses are displayed on a computer display screen showing graph lines of mathematical relationships between goals and factors in a spreadsheet plan and depicting continuums of what-ifs across ranges of variation from the spreadsheet plan, providing information for planning and management of the factors to improve results for the goals. Goals and factors reflect elements of the plan for which, in the spreadsheet, values are contained in output and input cells respectively. The goals and factors are selected by the user from lists that are created and displayed. After such selection, the designated graphic analysis is performed and the graph lines for the selected goal and factor(s) are displayed. The user is able to analyze and evaluate entire ranges of "what-if" possibilities using the graph lines. Desired graph points can be moved to interactively in order to arrive at desired what-if possibilities. At any selected what-if possibility, print and numeric text can be displayed that provides information about the selected what-if possibility. For any desired graph point, a new spreadsheet plan model can be generated with new data reflecting the selected graph point. Selected graphic analyses can be saved in a method and customized user interface that simplify later redevelopment of the graphic analyses ready for further interactive moves to what-if possibilities.

Claims

1. A method that relates to graphic analysis of variation of economic plans, comprising:

accessing a plan-model having variables including inputs defined to have externally entered input values and outputs defined to have output values determined through plan-model processes affected by one or more of said input values, said plan-model being changeable into any of a number of what-if states, each of said what-if states being a particular combination of particular values for said inputs and any change in any of said input values being a change of said plan-model from one what-if state to another what-if state;

choosing at least a first goal from said outputs and at least a first factor from said inputs, said first factor being chosen based on said first goal and being an economic parameter, that is useful to a user in planning and managing said first goal and based on desire for information associated with a functional relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model wherein a change in the value of said first factor causes a change in the value of said first goal;

obtaining input values for an initial what-if state of said plan-model, in which what-if state all input values and all output values of said plan-model including the values of said first factor and said first goal are plan values;

establishing at least a first magnitude of variation for the value of said first factor, said first magnitude of variation being established based on said first factor plan value, said variation being in an axis of value variation independent of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model; and

providing a first graph having at least a first graph line in which each graph point reflects a different what-if state of said plan-model, said first graph line developed by determining representative graph points each representing a different first factor substitute value and a corresponding goal variant value for said first goal, wherein;

values of said representative graph points are determined and used to display said first graph and said first graph line in a computer process that includes generation of new values for said representative graph points using said plan-model and said plan values and display of said first graph with said first graph line using said representative graph points, which computer process is independent of user setup of additional modeling to create a table of such values external to said plan-model, said user setup of additional modeling including separate user steps to enter in spreadsheet cells external to said plan-model a plurality of first factor values and a formula reference for calculation of corresponding first goal values;

each of said first factor substitute values is determined based on said first factor plan value and said first magnitude of variation, each of said first factor substitute values is different from and a replacement for said first factor plan value, said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first factor substitute values, and said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from the user and used in determination of said first factor substitute values; and

each of said corresponding first goal variant values is the value of said first goal using said plan-model processes with said first factor plan value replaced by the first factor substitute value to which said first goal variant value corresponds, and depending on said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model said corresponding goal variant values for said first goal are different from the plan value of said first goal, differ from any value of said first goal obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first goal variant values, and differ from any value of said first goal obtained from the user and used in determination of said first goal variant values;

in which graph line information is provided for said relationship between said first goal and said first factor and the value of said first goal at each value of said first factor for at least ten values of said first factor differing from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and differing from any value of said first factor obtained from the user.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said accessing step includes linking to said plan-model and software providing said plan-model to enable interaction with said software and said plan-model.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said accessing step includes providing said plan-model in an electronic spreadsheet.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said choosing step includes creating menu lists of a number of said outputs for user selection of goals and of a number of said inputs four user selection of factors.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said choosing step includes identifying said outputs of said plan-model for user selection of goals or said inputs of said plan-model for user selection of factors.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said choosing step includes identifying said inputs of said plan-model affecting any particular output for user selection of factors.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said choosing step includes locating a number of said outputs to be offered for selection of goals and a number of said inputs to be offered for selection of factors in particular locations in said plan-model.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said choosing step includes designating a name for each of a plurality of said outputs which are selectable as goals including said first goal and each of a plurality of said inputs which are selectable as factors including said first factor.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said obtaining step includes acquiring a number of said input plan values from said plan-model or software containing said input plan values.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes displaying a plurality of graph lines representing variation from plan values of a plurality of factors including said first graph line representing variation from plan value of said first factor, said displaying step including displaying said graph lines relative to a vertical axis associated with goal variant values of said first goal and a horizontal axis of factor substitute values associated with said plurality of factors including said first factor chosen from said inputs, with each of said graph lines illustrating said first goal variant values for a plurality of factor substitute values for a different factor of said plurality of factors, wherein each of said plurality of graph lines represents an axis of value variation of said plan-model established independently of said axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model and contains at least ten graph points each;

representing for at least one of said plurality of factors a factor substitute value different from all values of said factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and from the user and used in determination of said factor substitute value;

representing for said first goal a corresponding goal variant value determined using said factor substitute value and, depending on said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model, different from all values of said first goal obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and from the user and used in determination of said first goal variant value; and

reflecting a what-if state of said plan-model different from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and different from the what-if state of said plan-model reflected by each of the rest of said ten graph points.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said displaying step includes illustrating said first graph line with said first goal variant values as a function of percentage-related deviation from plan value of said first factor.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes displaying a plurality of graph lines representing combined variation from said plan values of two independently varying factors including said first graph line, said displaying step including displaying a vertical axis associated with goal variant values of said first goal and displaying a horizontal axis associated with factor substitute values of said first factor, with each of said graph lines illustrating said first goal variant values as a function of said first factor substitute values and a different value for said second factor, wherein said plurality of graph lines contains at least ten graph points each representing;

factor substitute values for each of two factors, each of said factor substitute values different from all values of that factor obtained from said initial state of said plan-model and from the user and used to determine said factor substitute values;

a corresponding goal variant value for said first goal different from all values of said first goal obtained from said initial state of said plan-model and from the user and used to determine said goal variant value; and

a what-if state of said plan-model different from said initial what-if state of said plan-model, and said plurality of graph lines represents value variation of said plan-model in a combination of two axes of value variation each established independently of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said displaying step includes:

defining a factor substitute values axis and a goal variant values axis with units associated therewith;

determining a factor substitute values range and axis-scale increment for said first factor using said first factor plan value;

determining a factor substitute values graph line-set range and increment for said second factor using the plan value of said second factor;

determining a goal range and axis-scale increment for said first goal;

determining appropriate changes in ranges and increments for said factor and goal axes and said graph line-set;

displaying said plurality of graph lines including said first graph line; and

showing labels for said factor axis, said goal axis and said graph line-set.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said step of determining said first goal range and axis-scale increment includes obtaining high and low first goal values across combined ranges of said first factor substitute values and second factor substitute values using said substitute values of said first factor and said second factor and the relationship contained in said plan-model between said first goal and said first factor and said second factor, and arriving at said first goal range and axis-scale increment using said high and low first goal values.

15. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes developing said graph points of said first graph line by calculating a plurality of first goal variant values using a plurality of said first factor substitute values.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes displaying said first graph line.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said displaying step includes illustrating said first graph line on a display screen.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said providing step includes:

producing said first graph line associated with said plan-model wherein said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model that said first graph line reflects is defined in said plan-model by a plurality of formulas separately expressed and separately located in said plan-model.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

choosing from said inputs of said plan-model a second factor different from said first factor;

obtaining for said second factor a second factor plan value

establishing for said second factor at least a first magnitude of variation in an axis of value variation determined independently of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model; and

providing a number of graph lines, including said first graph line, containing a plurality of graph points representing factor substitute values for said first factor and corresponding goal variant values for said first goal and a plurality of graph points representing factor substitute values for said second factor and corresponding goal variant values for said first goal.

20. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein:

said providing step includes determining each of said first goal variant values using a factor substitute value for at least one of said first and second factors.

21. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes developing and displaying a plurality of graph lines including said first graph line, with said plurality of graph lines illustrating goal variant values of said first goal for factor substitute values for a plurality of factors, wherein;

said plurality of graph lines represents variation of said plan-model from said initial what-if state of said plan-model in a plurality of axes of value variation each established independently of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model; and

for each of a plurality of factors, said plurality of graph lines contains at least ten graph points representing a number of factor substitute values for said factor, wherein each of said ten graph points;

represents for at least said factor a factor substitute value differing from all values of said factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and from the user and used in determination of said factor substitute value;

represents for said first goal a corresponding variant value determined using said factor substitute value and, depending on said relationship between said first goal and said factor contained in said plan-model, differing from all values of said first goal obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and from the user and used in determination of said first goal variant value; and

reflects a what-if state of said plan-model different from said initial state of said plan-model and different from the what-if state of said plan-model reflected by each of the rest of said ten graph points.

22. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said accessing step includes providing at least portions of said plan-model in software that includes at least one of the following;

spreadsheet software, accounting software, data base software and innovative graphic analysis software.

23. A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

said providing step includes linking to said software to enable interaction with said software and said plan-model.

24. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said providing step includes:

defining a factor substitute values axis and a goal variant values axis and units associated therewith;

determining a factor substitute values range and a factor substitute values axis-scale increment for said first factor using said first factor plan value;

displaying said factor substitute values axis with increment scaling and labeling;

determining a goal variant values range and a goal variant values axis-scale increment for said first goal;

displaying said goal variant values axis with increment scaling and labeling; and

displaying said first graph line.

25. A method, as claimed in claim 24, wherein said step of determining said first goal variant values range and axis-scale increment includes:

determining first goal variant high values and low values using said first factor substitute values and said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model; and

arriving at said first goal variant values range and goal variant values axis scale increment using said high values and said low values.

26. A method, as claimed in claim 24, further including:

changing by the user when appropriate at least one of said first factor range and said first goal range.

27. A method, as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said changing step further includes modifying said axis-scale increment for at least one of said factor axis and said goal axis.

28. A method, as claimed in amended claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes analyzing a shape of said first graph line which is a functional relationship between said first goal and said first factor, for the purpose of determining a series of values of said first factor which in combination with corresponding values of said first goal will define a series of graph point that upon display with straight line segments connecting consecutive graph points produce a graph line providing a visual representation of said functional relationship.

29. A method, as claimed in claim 28, wherein:

said analyzing step includes determining a plurality of graph points along said first graph line, with each of said graph points comprised of one of said first factor substitute values and one of said first goal variant values determined using said first factor substitute value and said relationship between said first goal and said first factor.

30. A method, as claimed in claim 28, wherein

said analyzing step includes analyzing a direct expression of a number for formulas in said plan-model.

31. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes using said plan-model to calculate said first goal variant values based on said first factor substitute values.

32. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

creating a user interface for said graph that involves at least one of the following;

creation of methods of choosing said goals and factors, methods of moving interactively on said graph, and methods of illustrating information relative to values of factors and goals for graph points moved to on said graph.

33. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said relationship between said first goal and said first factor includes a plurality of formulas separately expressed and separately located in said plan-model.

34. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said establishing step includes establishing said first magnitude of variation in an axis of plan-model value variation determined independently of the axes of value variation represented by any series of values in said initial state of said plan-model including any series of values contained in a horizontal row or a vertical column or a series of pages or a list in said initial state of said plan-model.

35. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes showing said first graph line wherein each of a number of segments of said first graph line represents a continuum of graph points with each of said graph points depicting a different first factor substitute value and a corresponding first goal variant value and reflecting a different what-if state of said plan-model.

36. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said providing step includes determining a plurality of graph line definition first factor values which together with corresponding first goal variant values represent a series of graph line definition graph points such that straight line segments connecting consecutive graph points in said series show additional graph points reflecting the relationship between said first goal and said first factor in said plan-model.

37. A method, as claimed in claim 36, further including:

changing by the user said determining of graph line definition first factor values.

48. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

saving in computer memory a file of a number of said graphs including said first graph having at least said first graph line, said file having for each of said graphs information to reestablish relinking to said plan-model and reproduce said graph and enable moving interactively to graph points along at least said first graph line on said graph by moving to factor substitute values relative to a factor axis and illustrate information on said graph points moved to including goal variant values of said graph points determined using said factor substitute values moved to and the relationship between the goal and the factors represented on said graph.

38. A method that relates to graphic analysis of variation of economic plans, comprising:

accessing a plan-model having variables including inputs defined to have externally entered input values and outputs defined to have output values determined through plan-model processes affected by one or more of said input values, said plan-model being changeable into any of a number of what-if states, each of said what-if states being a particular combination of particular values for said inputs and any change in any of said input values being a change of said plan-model from one what-if state to another what-if state;

choosing at least a first goal from said outputs and at least a first factor from said inputs, said first factor being chosen based on said first goal and being an economic parameter that is useful to a user in planning and managing said first goal and based on desire for information associated with a relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model wherein a change in the value of said first factor causes a change in the value of said first goal;

obtaining input values for an initial what-if state of said plan-model, in which what-if state all input values and all output values of said plan-model including the values of said first factor and said first goal are plan values;

establishing at least a first magnitude of variation for the value of said first factor, said first magnitude of variation being established based on said first factor plan value, said variation being in an axis of value variation independent of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model;

providing a first graph having at least a first graph line in which each graph point reflects a different what-if state of said plan-model, said first graph line including graph points each representing a different first factor substitute value and a corresponding goal variant value for said first goal, wherein;

each of said first factor substitute values is determined based on said first factor plan value and said first magnitude of variation, each of said first factor substitute values is different from and a replacement for said first factor plan value, said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first factor substitute values, and said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from the user and used in determination of said first factor substitute values; and

each of said corresponding first goal variant values is the value of said first goal using said plan-model processes with said first factor plan value replaced by the first factor substitute value to which said first goal variant value corresponds, and depending on said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model said corresponding goal variant values for said first goal are different from the plan value of said first goal, differ from any value of said first goal obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first goal variant values, and differ from any value of said first goal obtained from the user and used in determination of said first goal variant values;

in which graph line information is provided for said relationship between said first goal and said first factor and the value of said first goal at each value of said first factor for at least ten values of said first factor differing from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and differing from any value of said first factor obtained from the user;

moving interactively along said first graph line to arrive at a first graph point of a plurality of graph points represented by said first graph line, said first graph point representing a first factor substitute value selected by the user from a plurality of factor substitute values represented by the range of a factor axis and reflected by said plurality of graph points along said first graph line, for which first factor substitute value information is desired regarding the corresponding goal variant value of said first goal;

determining said corresponding goal variant value of said first goal represented by said first graph point using said first factor substitute value and the relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model; and

illustrating said factor substitute value and said corresponding first goal variant value represented by said first graph point,

wherein said first graph line represents at least ten graph points including said first graph point to which the user can move interactively, each of said graph points representing a factor substitute value of said first factor different from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and representing a what-if state of said plan-model different from said initial what-if state of said plan-model.

39. A method, as claimed in claim 38, further comprising:

creating a plan-model revised version reflecting factor and goal values represented by said first graph point, differing from said plan-model by having at least one factor substitute value different from said factor'"'"'s plan value.

40. A method, as claimed in claim 39, wherein:

said creating step includes making a copy of said plan-model and in said copy changing plan values of a number of factors to substitute values of said factors that correspond to said first graph point.

41. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said moving interactively step includes moving interactively to one of a plurality of graph lines selected by the user to move along and illustrating which of said plurality of graph lines has been moved to.

42. A method, as claimed in claim 41, further comprising:

Moving interactively relative to a plurality of graph lines including said first graph line each representing said relationship between said first goal and said first factor relative to a first factor axis and a first goal axis with each of said graph lines representing said relationship with a different value for a second factor, to a graph point that is not on a displayed graph line but between two of said graph lines, wherein said graph point represents a first factor substitute value relative to said first factor axis and also associated with said first factor substitute value represents a factor substitute value for said second factor that is defined by the position of said graph point relative to said two graph lines and the goal variant value represented by said graph point is determined using said factor substitute values of said first and second factors and the relationship between said first goal and said first and second factors contained in said plan-model.

43. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said illustrating step includes displaying markers located relative to said first graph point moved to and said factor axis and a goal axis illustrating the selected factor substitute value of said first graph point moved to relative to said factor axis and the corresponding goal variant value of said first graph point relative to said goal axis.

44. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said illustrating step includes presenting a number indicating said first factor substitute value moved to relative to said factor axis to arrive at said first graph point along said first graph line and a number for the first goal variant value of said first graph point determined using said first factor substitute value and said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model.

45. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said illustrating step includes displaying numbers showing values associated with said first graph point for a plurality of factors including said first factor substitute value and for a plurality of goals including said first goal variant value.

46. A method, as claimed in claim 45, wherein:

said displaying step includes displaying for each of a plurality of graph points, including said first graph point, numbers showing values associated with said graph point for a plurality of factors and a plurality of goals.

47. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said moving interactively step includes locating a marker at each of a number of said graph points and displaying at least one text area for user entry and display of information related to at least one of said graph points having one of said markers.

49. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said moving interactively step includes moving to a graph point representing a factor substitute value for at least one factor different from every value of said factor used to determine how to display said graph line.

50. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said moving interactively step includes;

determining a first increment of consecutive values of said first factor moveable to along said graph line relative to said factor axis; and

user adjusting of the values of said first factor that can be moved to along said graph line relative to said factor axis including user adjusting of the increment between consecutive factor values moveable to along said graph line.

51. A method, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said moving interactively step includes moving interactively to any of at least 100 graph points along said first graph line representing different factor substitute values of said first factor.

52. A method that relates to graphic analysis of variation of economic plans, comprising:

accessing a plan-model having variables including inputs defined to have externally entered input values and outputs defined to have output values determined through plan-model processes affected by one or more of said input values, said plan-model being changeable into any of a number of what-if states, each of said what-if states being a particular combination of particular values for said inputs and any change in any of said input values being a change of said plan-model from one what-if state to another what-if state;

choosing at least a first goal from said outputs and at least a first factor from said inputs, said first factor being chosen based on said first goal and being an economic parameter that is useful to a user in planning and managing said first goal and based on desire for information associated with a relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model wherein a change in the value of said first factor causes a change in the value of said first goal;

obtaining input values for an initial what-if state of said plan-model, in which what-if state all input values and all output values of said plan-model including the values of said first factor and said first goal are plan values;

establishing at least a first magnitude of variation for the value of said first factor, said first magnitude of variation being established based on said first factor plan value, said variation being in an axis of value variation independent of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model;

providing a first graph having at least a first graph line in which each graph point reflects a different what-if state of said plan-model, said first graph line including graph points each representing a different first factor substitute value and a corresponding goal variant value for said first goal, wherein;

each of said first factor substitute values is determined based on said first factor plan value and said first magnitude of variation, each of said first factor substitute values is different from and a replacement for said first factor plan value, said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first factor substitute values, and said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from the user and used in determination of said first factor substitute values; and

each of said corresponding first goal variant values is the value of said first goal using said plan-model processes with said first factor plan value replaced by the first factor substitute value to which said first goal variant value corresponds, and depending on said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model said corresponding goal variant values for said first goal are different from the plan value of said first goal differ from any value of said first goal, obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first goal variant values, and differ from any value of said first goal obtained from the user and used in determination of said first goal variant values;

in which graph line information is provided for said relationship between said first goal and said first factor and the value of said first goal at each value of said first factor for at least ten values of said first factor differing from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and differing from any value of said first factor obtained from the user; and

moving interactively including moving a reference marker to at least a first goal variant value of said first goal relative to a goal axis on said graph and illustrating at least one graph point on said first graph line of said graph that corresponds to said goal variant value moved to, wherein said graph point represents a factor substitute value for said first factor which if substituted for the plan value of said first factor in said plan-model will change said plan-model to a what-if state in which the value of said first goal corresponds to the first goal variant value moved to.

53. A method, as claimed in claim 52, wherein:

said moving interactively step includes displaying graphically along each of a plurality of graph lines including said first graph line at least one graph point along said graph line, including said graph point on said first graph line, representing said goal variant value of said first goal moved to and a factor substitute value relative to a factor axis which in association with said graph line and the relationship between said first goal and factors associated with said graph line will produce said goal variant value moved to for said first goal.

54. A method, as claimed in claim 52, wherein:

said illustrating step includes displaying a number for said first factor substitute value of said graph point determined using said first goal variant value moved to and said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model.

55. A method, as claimed in claim 54, wherein:

said displaying step includes manipulating said plan-model to find said first factor substitute value.

56. An apparatus that relates to graphic analysis of variation of economic plans, comprising:

a plan-model having variables including inputs defined to have externally entered input values and outputs defined to have output values determined through plan-model processes affected by one or more of said input values, said plan-model being changeable into any of a number of what-if states, each of said what-if states being a particular combination of particular values for said inputs and any change in any of said input values being a change of said plan-model from one what-if state to another what-if state, from which at least a first goal is chosen from said outputs and at least a first factor is chosen from said inputs, said first factor being chosen based on said first goal and being an economic parameter that is useful to a user in planning and managing said first goal and based on desire for information associated with a functional relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model wherein a change in the value of said first factor causes a change in the value of said first goal, and for which inputs input values are entered for an initial what-if state of said plan-model, in which what-if state all input values and all output values of said plan-model including the values of said first factor and said first goal are plan values; and

first means for providing a first graph having at least a first graph line in which each graph point reflects a different what-if state of said plan-model, said first graph line developed by determining representative graph points each representing a different first factor substitute value and a corresponding goal variant value for said first goal, wherein;

values of said representative graph points are determined and used to display said first graph and said first graph line in a computer process that includes generation of new values for said representative graph points using said plan-model and said plan values and display of said first graph with said first graph line using said representative graph points, which computer process is independent of user setup of additional modeling to create a table of such values external to said plan-model, said user setup of additional modeling including separate user steps to enter in spreadsheet cells external to said plan-model a plurality of first factor values and a formula reference for calculation of corresponding first goal values;

each of said first factor substitute values is determined based on said first factor plan value and a first magnitude of variation established for the value of said first factor, said first magnitude of variation being established based on said first factor plan value, said variation being in an axis of value variation determined independently of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model, each of said first factor substitute values is different from and a replacement for said first factor plan value, said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first factor substitute values, and said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from the user and used in determination of said first factor substitute values; and

each of said corresponding first goal variant values is the value of said first goal using said plan-model processes with said first factor plan value replaced by the first factor substitute value to which said first goal variant value corresponds, and depending on said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model said corresponding goal variant values for said first goal are different from the plan value of said first goal, differ from any value of said first goal obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first goal variant values, and differ from any value of said first goal obtained from the user and used in determination of said first goal variant values;

in which graph line information is provided for the relationship between said first goal and said first factor and the value of said first goal at each value of said first factor for at least ten values of said first factor differing from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and differing from any value of said first factor obtained from the user.

57. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, further comprising:

an electronic display screen for displaying said first graph line.

58. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, further including:

linking software for linking to said plan model to enable interaction with software of said plan model.

59. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, wherein:

said plan model is entered in an electronic spreadsheet which is activatable on a computer display screen.

60. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, further comprising:

means for identifying outputs for user selection of goals and identifying inputs for user selection of factors.

61. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, further comprising:

second means for identifying all of said inputs from said plan-model that affect said first goal.

62. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, wherein:

said first means includes means for determining said first factor substitute values, using said first factor plan value.

63. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, wherein:

said first means includes means for establishing a factor axis related to said first factor and a goal axis related to said first goal.

64. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, wherein:

said plan model contains a plurality of formulas that collectively determine a relationship between said first goal and said first factor but contain no formula expressing the relationship between said first goal and said first factor.

65. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 56, further including:

third means for selecting by the user of a plurality of factors including said first factor from said inputs of said plan-model and providing said first graph with a plurality of graph lines including said first graph line, wherein said plurality of graph lines illustrates a goal variant value for each of a plurality of factor substitute values for each of said plurality of factors selected by the user, contains at least ten graph points each representing at least one factor substitute value and a goal variant value not obtained from either the initial what-if state of the plan-model or from the user and each representing a different what-if state of said plan-model, and illustrates variation of plan-model values in a plurality of additional axes of value variation of said plan-model each established independently of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model.

66. An apparatus that relates to graphic analysis of variation of economic plans, comprising;

a plan-model having variables including inputs defined to have externally entered input values and outputs defined to have output values determined through plan-model processes affected by one or more of said input values, said plan-model being changeable into any of a number of what-if states, each of said what-if states being a particular combination of particular values for said inputs and any change in any of said input values being a change of said plan-model from one what-if state to another what-if state, from which at least a first goal is chosen from said outputs and at least a first factor is chosen from said inputs, said first factor being chosen based on said first goal and being an economic parameter that is useful to a user in planning and managing said first goal and based on desire for information associated with a relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model wherein a change in the value of said first factor causes a change in the value of said first goal, and for which inputs input values are entered for an initial what-if state of said plan-model, in which what-if state all input values and all output values of said plan-model including the values of said first factor and said first goal are plan values;

first means for providing a first graph having at least a first graph line in which each graph point reflects a different what-if state of said plan-model, said first graph line including graph points each representing a different first factor substitute value and a corresponding goal variant value for said first goal, said first means also for interactively moving relative to said first graph line by selecting by the user of a position relative to a first axis of said first graph, and determining for a graph point on said first graph line at the selected position relative to said first axis the value and position of said graph point relative to a second axis of said first graph according to said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model, wherein;

each of said first factor substitute values is determined based on said first factor plan value and a first magnitude of variation established for the value of said first factor, said first magnitude of variation being established based on said first factor plan value, said variation being in an axis of value variation determined independently of the axes of value variation represented by the input and output values in said initial what-if state of said plan-model, each of said first factor substitute values is different from and a replacement for said first factor plan value, said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first factor substitute values, and said first factor substitute values differ from any value of said first factor obtained from the user and used in determination of said first factor substitute values; and

each of said corresponding first goal variant values is the value of said first goal using said plan-model processes with said first factor plan value replaced by the first factor substitute value to which said first goal variant value corresponds, and depending on said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model said corresponding goal variant values for said first goal are different from the plan value of said first goal, differ from any value of said first goal obtained from said initial what-if state of said plan-model and used in determination of said first goal variant values, and differ from any value of said first goal obtained from the user and used in determination of said first goal variant values;

in which graph line information is provided for the relationship between said first goal and said first factor and the value of said first goal at each value of said first factor for at least ten values of said first factor differing from any value of said first factor obtained from said initial what, if state of said plan-model and differing from any value of said first factor obtained from the user.

67. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 66, further including:

second means for saving said first graph with an identifier, wherein upon selection of said identifier said first graph is reproduced on a display screen and on the reproduced said first graph the user can move interactively along said first graph line to a graph point representing a factor substitute value of said first factor relative to a factor axis and said factor substitute value and the first goal variant value of said graph point moved to are illustrated, said first goal variant value determined using said factor substitute value moved to and said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model.

68. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 66, wherein:

said first means includes means for selecting from a number of graph lines said first graph line to move along and indicating that said first graph line is selected to be moved along.

69. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 66, wherein:

said first means includes means for interactively moving to at least a first graph point on said first graph line by selecting by the user of a factor substitute value for said first factor relative to a factor axis and illustrating a corresponding goal variant value for said first goal of said first graph point relative to a goal axis in accordance with the relationship of said first goal to said first factor in said plan-model.

70. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 66, wherein:

said first means includes means for displaying a number showing the value of said position relative to said first axis selected by the user and a number showing the value of said position of said graph point on said first graph line relative to said second axis determined using said value of said position relative to said first axis and the relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model.

71. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 66, wherein:

said first means includes reference markers illustrating the position of a graph point moved to along said first graph line relative to a factor axis and relative to a goal axis with position relative to one axis being user selected and position relative to the other axis being determined using said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model.

72. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 66, wherein:

said first means includes means for interactively moving to a user selected goal variant value of said first goal relative to a goal axis and illustrating a graph point on said first graph line representing the goal variant value moved to and a first factor substitute value of said graph point relative to a factor axis determined using said goal variant value moved to and said relationship between said first goal and said first factor contained in said plan-model.