Training

CalPlanning Learning and Support

CalPlanning Learning and Support

Getting Started Guide

The CalPlanning Getting Started Guide is a good place for new users to get begin learning about CalPlanning.

Office Hours

Office hours are available so that you can ask specific questions about CalPlanning and Smart View. Request a session and indicate the topic for which you are requesting support. Office hours are an opportunity to get individual support for a specific challenge your unit is facing; they are not a replacement for training. 

Learning Format

Our curriculum of CalPlanning and Smart View courses using a blended learning model. Courses begin with self-study using online “books” divided into chapters supplemented with practice exercises and short videos. Courses culminate with a group session using Zoom in which participants will work on case studies in small teams to apply the material covered in the self-study.

The self-study materials are available on the website for everyone to use; they can be a helpful resource for those that have already completed the training and are looking for a refresher. See the page for the course you are interested in to access the self-study materials and job aids.

CalPlanning Roles and Courses

CalRptg Only Role

  • People with reporting access should start with CalPlanning: Intro & Reporting to learn to use the pre-designed CalPlanning report templates.
  • Individuals that will design their own reports will also take Smart View Ad Hoc for CalRptg.

Planner Role

  • In addition to the reporting classes described above planners will also need to take Navigating CalPlan and Navigating HCP to learn to enter plan data into CalPlan and HCP.
  • Smart View for Planning introduces the Excel interface to the CalPlan and HCP forms for entering data. This class is also recommended for planners.
  • For course descriptions and pre-requisites, use the menu on the top or left panel to go to the course page

CalPlanning Courses

CalPlanning: Intro & Reporting

This first course in the CalPlanning curriculum is for both Planners and Reporting users. In this course, you will learn to:

  • Log into CalPlanning
  • Identify key reports used to support the budgeting process
  • Practice the steps to create, save, print, and analyze canned CalRptg reports
  • Understand when plan and actual data is updated in CalPlanning reporting modules
  • Set user preferences for accessing unit-specific financial plan and actual data
  • Run key budget process reports in your own entity

Activity and Time Commitment

Wednesday, Sept 9 10:00 - 11:30am Enroll

Smart View Ad Hoc for CalRptg

This training is designed for Financial Planners and Reporting users who would like to create their own reports using the Smart View Excel interface. The prerequisite for this class is CalPlanning Reporting. This course has two sessions with required self-study pre-work for each session. In this course, you will learn to:

  • Create a Smart View ad hoc query and save it for reuse
  • Select members for POV efficiently using a variety of methods
  • Set Options in Smart View to manage your preferences
  • Create an ad hoc query/report with stacked dimensions
  • Create a cascading report
  • Remedy common errors when creating ad hoc queries
  • Import a CalPlanning report into Smart View
  • Identify best practices for accessing data with Smart View

Activity and Time Commitment

  • This class has 2 sessions, one week apart. The time commitments are per week.
  • Self-Study: 2-4 hours
  • Group Sessions: Two sessions of two hours each; you must attend both sessions.
Thursdays, Sept 17 and 24 10:00am - 12:00pm Enroll

Navigating CalPlan

This class is designed for Planners who are responsible for creating unit financial budgets. The prerequisite for this class is CalPlanning: Intro & Reporting. In this course, you will learn to:

  • Define the CalPlan tool and CalPlan canned reporting tools and key concepts
  • Explore the dimensions of data used in CalPlanning planning and reporting tools
  • Identify and practice the steps to create a unit budget utilizing the CalPlan task list, data forms and CalPlan reports
  • Review recommended CalPlan resources and job aids to assist in the annual budget process

Activity and Time Commitment

Thursday, Oct 1 10:00-11:30am Enroll

Navigating HCP

This class is designed for Planners who are responsible for creating compensation plans for their unit budgets. The prerequisite for this class is Navigating CalPlan. In this course, you will learn to:

  • Define HCP and HCPRptg tools and key concepts
  • Identify and practice the steps to create a unit compensation budget utilizing the HCP task list, data forms and HCPRptg reports
  • Review recommended HCP resources and job aids to assist in the annual budget process

Activity and Time Commitment

Thursday, Oct 8 10:00am - 12:00pm Enroll

Smart View for Planning

This training is designed for Financial Planners who are responsible for creating unit financial budgets and would like to use the Smart View Excel interface to enter their budget into CalPlan and HCP. The prerequisite is Navigating CalPlan. In this course, you will learn to:

  • Access and navigate the CalPlan and HCP forms via Smart View
  • Enter data into CalPlan and HCP
  • Understand the differences between saving data in Excel and CalPlan / HCP

Activity and Time Commitment

Wednesday, Oct 14 10:00-11:00am Enroll