Frequency Inputs
This article explains frequency inputs in the Timing modal, focusing on schedule and range modes.
You will learn:
The difference between schedule and range inputs.
When to use each mode.
How frequency interacts with accrual and seasonality.
Frequency settings tell the engine how often a variable accrues.
Frequency modes
There are two main ways to express frequency:
Range
The value is spread evenly across each period in a given date range.
Useful for continuous items like rent, salaries or ongoing subscriptions.
Schedule
The value occurs on specific dates or recurrence rules.
Useful for items like fortnightly payroll, quarterly fees or annual payments.
Both modes work with start and end dates.
Range based inputs
In range mode you typically specify:
A start date.
An end date.
A per period amount or total to be spread.
The engine then allocates accruals evenly across all periods between start and end, in line with the model's granularity.
Examples:
Monthly rent across a year.
A continuous service fee.
Staff salaries.
Schedule based inputs
In schedule mode you specify a recurrence pattern, such as:
Every week.
Every month on a particular day.
Every quarter.
A specific list of dates.
The engine then places accruals exactly on those scheduled dates, and aggregates them into periods for reporting.
Examples:
Payroll on the 15th of each month.
Quarterly licence fees.
An annual insurance payment.
Choosing between schedule and range
Use range when:
The economic activity is continuous.
Even spreading is a reasonable approximation.
You care more about totals per period than specific calendar dates.
Use schedule when:
The timing of individual events matters for cashflow.
The pattern is discrete and recurring.
You want to reflect real payment calendars.
Mixing both patterns across different variables gives you realistic yet manageable models.
Related articles
Last updated
Was this helpful?