SAC Story Building - from Model

Building a story in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) based on a model involves a few key steps. Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. Prerequisites

• Existing Model: Ensure you have a model prepared in SAC. This could be created from various data sources (uploaded files, live connections, etc.) and should contain the dimensions and measures you need for your analysis.
• Story Design: Have a clear idea of what you want to convey in your story. Consider the key metrics, visualizations, and overall flow of information.

2. Creating the Story

• New Story: In the SAC main menu, navigate to Stories and click Create Story.
• Select Model: Choose the relevant model as the data source for your story. You can start with a blank canvas or use a template.
• Add Pages: Organize your story into pages with a logical flow. Each page can focus on a specific aspect of your analysis.

3. Building the Content

• Visualization: Drag and drop measures and dimensions from your model onto the canvas to create charts (bar charts, line charts, maps, etc.). SAC offers a wide variety of visualization options.
• Tables: Add tables to display detailed data and allow for filtering and sorting.
• Text and Images: Include text boxes for explanations, headings, and insights. Add images to enhance visual appeal.
• Filters and Input Controls: Allow users to interact with the data by adding filters and input controls (e.g., dropdowns, sliders) to dynamically change the story's view.

4. Enhancing the Story

• Formatting: Customize the appearance of your charts and tables (colors, fonts, labels).
• Navigation: Link pages together for a smooth user experience.
• Calculations: Create calculated measures or dimensions within the story to derive new insights.
• Predictive Analytics: Incorporate forecasting or other predictive features if your model supports it.

5. Saving and Sharing

• Save: Regularly save your story to avoid losing your work.
• Sharing: Share the story with others in your organization for collaboration or reporting purposes. You can control access levels (view, edit).

Example: Sales Performance Story

Let's say you have a model with sales data. You could create a story with the following pages:

• Overview: Key performance indicators (KPIs) like total sales, year-over-year growth, and sales by region.
• Product Performance: A breakdown of sales by product category, highlighting top performers and potential areas for improvement.
• Regional Analysis: A map showing sales distribution across different regions, with drill-down capabilities.
• Trend Analysis: A line chart visualizing sales trends over time, potentially with forecasts.

Tips for Effective Stories

• Keep it Simple: Focus on the most important information and avoid cluttering the story with too many visuals.
• Tell a Story: Use visuals and text to guide the user through a clear narrative.
• Interactive Elements: Encourage exploration by incorporating filters and input controls.
• Mobile Optimization: Ensure your story looks good on different devices (desktops, tablets, phones).

By following these steps and keeping your audience in mind, you can create compelling stories in SAP Analytics Cloud that effectively communicate insights from your data models