How to Create Custom Projection Methods

The Product Schedules has three standard ways for users to schedule revenue over time:

• Straight Line.
• Prorated.
• S-curve.

These projection methods cover the needs of most companies. However, if not, you can create a custom Projection Method. In other words, you create a template that distributes revenue or product quantity over time in a non-standard way.

There are three main steps to create a custom Projection Method for Product Schedules:

• Create a Product Schedule Template header.
• Define and enter your template.
• Adjust the Projection Method picklist on the Opportunity Product.

To create the Product Schedule Template header:

1. Click the 9-dot matrix in the top left.
2. Search for Product Schedule Temples in the search box.
3. Click New and enter a Name.
4. Select Other.
5. Click Save.

Define and enter your Template:

1. Click the New Button on the Product Schedule Template Line Item Related List.
2. Name the line item; the best practice is to number it 1 or Month 1 and continue this naming convention as you create more records.
3. Create up to 120 Template Line Items. In each case, set the percentage Value This Month and the Cumulative Value.
4. Link each record to the previous record you created using the lookup. (This only applies to the second and subsequent records you create).
5. Click Save

Repeat this process until you have created all of your records. Remember, in the final record, your total cumulative value must equal 100%, or some of the revenue will not be scheduled.

If you’re familiar with the Data Loader, creating the Template Line Items from a spreadsheet import is easier than manually.

Adjust the Projection Method picklist:

1. Go to Setup.
2. Click Object Manager.
3. Go to the Opportunity Product Object.
4. Select Fields and Relationships.
5. Click the Projection Method Field.
6. Scroll down to the Values section.
7. Click New & create a picklist value that has an identical name to the Template Name.

The API names of the fields for the template must match for the functionality to work.

You can now select your custom projection method when creating opportunity products.