PIPER Section 3: Forecasting
Learn about the Forecasting section of PIPER, UCSD's research portfolio management tool, including what each page does and how Fund Managers (FMs) can use them to project personnel costs, non-payroll expenses, and cost transfers for more accurate portfolio forecasts.
Forecasting pages allow FMs to enter and manage projected expenses and revenue that are not yet reflected in the ledger. Entries made in this section flow directly into Portfolio Reports, updating the forecasted balances visible to PIs and FMs throughout PIPER.
The Forecasting section of PIPER is comprised of three pages:
- 3.01 Payroll Forecast — A tool for projecting personnel costs for all positions funded on a PI's tasks, including overrides to effort distribution, salary rates, and non-effort-based payments.
- 3.02 Non-Payroll Forecast — A tool for forecasting one-time expenses, recurring non-payroll costs, anticipated revenue, and non-payroll cost transfers.
- 3.03 Payroll Cost Transfers — A manual log for recording anticipated payroll cost transfers that have not yet posted to the ledger.
3.01 Payroll Forecast
A tool for projecting personnel costs for all positions funded on tasks where the PI is the PIPER Task Manager. It pulls current salary and effort data from UCPath and allows FMs to make forecast adjustments for planning purposes.
- Displays current effort distributions, salary, and benefit costs by month for each position.
- Allows FMs to adjust effort percentages, update salary rates, add new positions (including TBNs), and forecast non-effort-based payments such as Cap Gap, Stipends, Z Payments, STAR Awards, and Additional Pay.
- Calculates projected salary, benefits (CBR and Leave Assessments), and other costs (NGN, HS-TSC, GAEL, and Tuition Remission). Forecasted salary includes an assumed 3% annual cost-of-living increase each July 1.
- Forecast updates flow directly into 1.01 Portfolio Summary (Card F), 1.02 PI Runway Analysis (Card A), 1.03 Personnel Effort by Position, and 1.04 Personnel Effort by Task.
Important: Forecast entries in PIPER are for planning purposes only. Actual payroll changes must still be processed through UCPath.
For PIs: Your FM uses this page to maintain an accurate payroll forecast. If you are planning a change in effort, a new hire, or a salary adjustment, let your FM know so they can update the forecast and ensure any required UCPath actions are initiated.
3.02 Non-Payroll Forecast
A tool for entering anticipated non-payroll expenses, revenue, and cost transfers that have not yet posted to the ledger. Forecast entries flow directly into 1.01 Portfolio Summary (Card F) and 1.02 PI Runway Analysis (Card A).
- Allows FMs to forecast one-time expenses (such as equipment, travel, and events), anticipated revenue (such as budget increments and resource transfers), and non-payroll cost transfers.
- Each forecast entry is tied to a specific Project-Task and expected accounting period.
- Supports recurring expense forecasting by automatically calculating a monthly estimate based on the previous six months of actual expenses, with the option for FMs to override the calculated amount.
For PIs: Your FM uses this page to incorporate anticipated expenses and revenue into your portfolio forecast. If you are planning a significant purchase, expecting additional funding, or anticipating a cost transfer, let your FM know so it can be reflected in your projected balance and runway.
3.03 Payroll Cost Transfers
A manual log for tracking payroll cost transfers that have been initiated but have not yet posted to Oracle. Entries are reflected as forecasted expenses in 1.01 Portfolio Summary (Card F), helping ensure portfolio forecasts remain accurate while transfers are pending.
- Allows FMs to record the From and To Project-Task, earnings period, and direct cost amounts (Salary, Benefits, Other, and Tuition Remission) for pending payroll cost transfers.
- Automatically calculates indirect costs based on the task's burden schedule and IDC rate.
- Once a transfer posts to Oracle, the entry should be marked as posted or removed to prevent duplicating the expense in the forecast.
For PIs: Your FM uses this page to account for pending payroll cost transfers before they appear in Oracle. This helps ensure your portfolio forecast reflects anticipated payroll adjustments and provides a more accurate view of available funding.