Finding unusual patterns in data is one of the fastest ways to uncover risk, explain performance changes, and identify opportunities. With the latest update to Planning Analytics Assistant, Outlier Analysis is now even more powerful and intuitive - making it easier than ever to detect anomalies, investigate them visually, and move from signal to insight.

A Smarter Way to Identify Outliers

The newly released Outlier Analysis experience (PAW 2.1.19/3,1,6) helps users quickly identify unusual values across a data view using a conditionally formatted cube viewer that is dynamically styled based on the selected outlier detection algorithm.

Instead of scanning rows and columns manually, users can now see anomalies highlighted directly in the cube view. This makes outliers immediately visible in the context of the underlying business data, helping teams focus attention where it matters most.

Seven Outlier Algorithms, Available Out of the Box

Different data patterns require different analytical approaches. That’s why Planning Analytics Assistant now offers up to seven outlier detection algorithms out of the box including Tukey, Ensemble, Z-score and more!

This gives users flexibility to evaluate anomalies using multiple methods, depending on the shape and behavior of the data. Whether you're reviewing financial performance, operational trends, or planning assumptions, you can choose the algorithm that best fits the scenario—without needing custom setup or advanced data science expertise.

Synchronized Cube Viewer and Chart for Faster Investigation

The update doesn’t stop at highlighting outliers in the cube viewer. A synchronized chart is also provided to visualize detected anomalies, giving users a second, more intuitive lens for exploration.

The best part: the conditionally formatted cube viewer and chart work together.

• Outliers highlighted in the cube viewer are reflected in the chart
• Selections made in the cube viewer are synchronized with the chart
• Users can move seamlessly between tabular and visual analysis without losing context

This synchronized experience makes it much easier to validate patterns, compare suspicious points, and understand whether an outlier is isolated or part of a broader trend.

From Detection to Insight with Built-In Summaries

To help users get started faster, the updated Outlier Analysis feature now includes an overall summary of the data view. This summary is designed to call out interesting areas for investigation and guide users toward the most meaningful points of analysis.

Rather than simply presenting anomalies, Planning Analytics Assistant adds interpretive value—helping users understand where to look first and why those results may matter.

Drill Deeper with Member-Level Analysis

When a broader pattern needs explanation, users can now go one step further with a member-level view that supports deeper analysis of individual data series.

This drill-down capability makes it easier to move from a high-level anomaly to the specific member driving it. Analysts can isolate and inspect the behavior of a particular series, making root-cause analysis faster and more actionable.

Why This Matters

The latest Outlier Analysis update is designed to reduce the time between detecting something unusual and understanding what to do next. By combining algorithm-driven detection, conditional formatting, synchronized visual exploration, and built-in summaries, Planning Analytics Assistant turns anomaly detection into a more guided and interactive workflow.

With this release, users can:

• Detect anomalies directly in the cube view
• Compare results across up to seven outlier algorithms
• Explore outliers visually through a synchronized chart
• Use summaries to identify promising areas for investigation
• Drill into member-level detail for deeper analysis

Outlier detection is most valuable when it is accessible, visual, and tied directly to business context. This latest Planning Analytics Assistant release delivers exactly that.

With conditionally formatted cube views, synchronized chart interactions, multiple outlier algorithms, and richer analytical summaries, users can identify what stands out—and understand why—faster than ever.

Planning Analytics Assistant continues to make advanced analysis easier for business users, bringing powerful insight generation directly into the planning workflow.