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IBM Planning Analytics pros and cons

Vendor: IBM
4.2 out of 5
Badge Leader

Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

IBM Planning Analytics is valued for its slicing and dicing capabilities, enabling quick analysis and data navigation.
It integrates seamlessly with different platforms and is known for fast in-memory calculations.
The flexibility in design features, data rules, and calculation definitions is a significant advantage, along with robust forecasting and predictive analytics capabilities.
It is easy to use and deploy, providing a unified database for streamlined planning processes.
The stable, robust nature of IBM Planning Analytics aids in creating scenarios, saving time in planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes.

CONS

IBM Planning Analytics is not super user-friendly with Excel and extracting data is slow.
The frequent updates from IBM impact quality and are not always beneficial.
Adding automated features and improving scalability would benefit IBM Planning Analytics.
Improvements in local authentication management are necessary for IBM Planning Analytics.
Frequent version releases by IBM introduce bugs and complicate the learning curve.
 

IBM Planning Analytics Pros review quotes

Gladys Njeri - PeerSpot reviewer
Key Account Manager at DHL
Feb 4, 2026
We cut down on manual budgeting and forecasting work, which saved us between 50 to 70% of our time.
Sai Tilak - PeerSpot reviewer
Team Lead Manager at Finlays
Jan 31, 2026
IBM Planning Analytics has positively impacted my organization since we started using this tool.
reviewer2798436 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Jan 20, 2026
IBM Planning Analytics is essential for creating a clear budget for our organization so that we can reach our future goals without significant loss.
Learn what your peers think about IBM Planning Analytics. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1517922 - PeerSpot reviewer
Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees
Feb 10, 2025
This level of stability is crucial for a product like Cognos TM1, as using an unstable platform would result in loss of time.
AA
Financial Performance Manager at a retailer with 1,001-5,000 employees
Apr 24, 2025
IBM Planning Analytics can help us build scenarios through a sandbox environment, allowing us to test multiple variables and assess their impact on our budget and planning.
Gnanavel-Chakkarapani - PeerSpot reviewer
Junior Consultant at CMA CGM
Mar 22, 2024
The product's stability is good.
Arnold Steffens - PeerSpot reviewer
Managing Director at Steffens PANTA RHEI GmbH
Jul 3, 2024
The scenario modeling capabilities are frequently used to create different scenarios, compare them, and see which action leads to which result.
Milan Orendac - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Business Executive at Sophia
Apr 22, 2024
The most valuable features of IBM Planning Analytics for streamlining planning processes include a unified database where all data are centralized.
PL
Senior BI Consultant at T.C.C. Technology Company Limited
Jun 9, 2023
The tool is flexible.
GC
Junior Consultant at CMA CGM
Sep 19, 2022
Planning Analytics' best features include automatic updates and slicing.
 

IBM Planning Analytics Cons review quotes

Gladys Njeri - PeerSpot reviewer
Key Account Manager at DHL
Feb 4, 2026
IBM Planning Analytics does not work offline, which makes it difficult for me and my team to work or gather required data when we do not have an internet connection.
Sai Tilak - PeerSpot reviewer
Team Lead Manager at Finlays
Jan 31, 2026
IBM Planning Analytics could be improved by avoiding frequent upgrades and planning a few limited upgrades throughout the year, so that bugs are not introduced and can be reduced.
reviewer2798436 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Jan 20, 2026
IBM Planning Analytics could be improved by simplifying the learning curve, as it requires a lot of time to learn and master it.
Learn what your peers think about IBM Planning Analytics. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1517922 - PeerSpot reviewer
Responsable B.I at a retailer with 51-200 employees
Feb 10, 2025
If we talk only about the TM1 engine, it's quite rich and possibly too rich, making it complex to perform simple tasks.
AA
Financial Performance Manager at a retailer with 1,001-5,000 employees
Apr 24, 2025
IBM is behind competitors like Tableau and Power BI in terms of visualization. Their visuals are less innovative and practical with fewer varieties.
Gnanavel-Chakkarapani - PeerSpot reviewer
Junior Consultant at CMA CGM
Mar 22, 2024
The local authentication part is difficult to manage in the product, making it an area where improvements are required.
Arnold Steffens - PeerSpot reviewer
Managing Director at Steffens PANTA RHEI GmbH
Jul 3, 2024
The workspace API should be improved and documented so we know better which objects are used.
Milan Orendac - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Business Executive at Sophia
Apr 22, 2024
Adding predefined templates could be beneficial.
PL
Senior BI Consultant at T.C.C. Technology Company Limited
Jun 9, 2023
The tool should include features for prediction. It can also improve the scalability.
GC
Junior Consultant at CMA CGM
Sep 19, 2022
Planning Analytics could be improved by adding automation features.