What does Over-allocation Cap mean in Mediatool?
⚠️ You need to use our Target feature to be able to utilize the Over-allocation cap.
Over-allocation cap is a feature in Mediatool designed to enhance budgeting accuracy and prevent overspending by capping planning entries that exceed predefined targets. This feature ensures that spend planning does not surpass set budget limits.
How Does it Work?
You choose the planning fields where you want to set a cap, such as 'Planned Spend' (though you may use a different term), to ensure that planners cannot exceed the values specified in Targets.
How to enable Over-allocation Cap
⚠️ You need admin permission to enable the feature and set a cap.
Enable the Over-allocation Cap: Navigate to the Plugins section on the parent account (if one is available).
Scroll to the bottom of the list and locate Targets. Underneath you have the option to enable “Over-allocation cap”. (You also need to ensure that Targets is activated to use this feature)
Select Measures: Navigate to the menu option on the left labeled "Over-allocation cap."
Start by enabling the feature by clicking on “Turn prevention on” in the middle of the screen
Now you can choose the specific measures that should not be overspent in Planning, ensuring they adhere to the budgets set in the Targets section.
Finalize your selections by clicking the "Save" button at the bottom right.
What Will Planners See?
When a target is set in the Targets section, such as for "Planned Spend," planners will be restricted from entering numbers that exceed this limit within the target period.
If they attempt to do so, they will encounter an error message stating, "Error: The target for 'Planned Spend' (or the custom field you have enabled this feature for) is overrun by XXXX." This message clearly alerts planners to the specific field and the amount by which the planned value exceeds the target.
Important Considerations
Keep in mind that as soon as you enable the feature for a field, it automatically includes all data within the time period for your set targets. This means that if you already have multiple plans in the tool and enable it for, for example, "Planned Spend," and then create a target budget for it, you need to ensure the target covers all existing plans. Otherwise, you will not be able to enter new data within this period.
To simplify the process, it's often easiest to start with a new period, such as a new year, without any previous data. This ensures a clean slate for target and planning alignment.
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Have questions or need help? You can reach us directly via the messenger on Mediatool.com or the contact support button located in the top right corner of the Mediatool App.
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