Self Managed Display (Complete Flexibility)

Self Managed Full Set of Variables/Parameters Display

Overview 

The Self Managed Display, with Full Variable/Parameter Selection capability, is an option under Display on the Main Menu of IFs.

This is the form that gives you the most flexibility for choosing and formatting your displays. From this feature of IFs, it is possible to choose any variable or parameter for display from any run file for any geographic unit. It is also possible to open up the historic data set that underpins the functionality of IFs in order to create historical plus forecast displays or export that data into Excel. This is also the form that gives users access to historical runs of the model, those that start in 1960 rather than the normal base year. There is a learning curve for the use of Self Managed (Full Set of Variables/Parameters) Display, but going up that curve will prove a useful investment of time.

IMAGE http://www.du.edu/ifs/help/use-online/display/selfmanaged/fullset/overview.html

When you access the Self-Managed (Full Variable/Parameter Selection) Display you will see a menu and three boxes: the Type Name Box, the Files Available for Display Box, and the Show a Subset of Names Box. Just below the menu and above the Type Name Box are radio buttons with geography options. These can all be seen in the screen-shot above.

These boxes and options allow users to choose any variable or parameter for display from any run file for any geographic unit. In the Type Name Box, you are able to search through the list of variables. For example, if you would like to select a GDP related variable, type into the Type Name Box "GDP". This will cycle the list of variables and parameters down to the GDP related variables. If you know the name of your variable or parameter, as it is programmed into the software of IFs, simply type the name into the Type Name Box. When you have found the variable or parameter you are looking for click on the name and you will be prompted to select a geographic unit for display.

By using the Show a Subset of Names Box, you are able to narrow down your search for variables or parameters if you know what type of variable or parameter you are looking for. If, however, you are unsure how the variable you are looking for is categorized into IFs, you can use more advanced variable search options. On the menu of Self Managed Full Set of Variables/Parameters Display there is an option labeled Variable Search. Select this and a new window will open. From this window it is possible to type in either the variable name or a brief description of the variable and then select the Search option. When you have found the variable you are looking for, simply highlight that variable and select Load.

After you have loaded the variable or parameter of your choosing, you will be prompted to select a geographical unit. Click on the geographical unit of your choosing and your variable/parameter will appear in a new fourth box: Status Box for Display. For example, if you selected GDP for France using the Working File based on the IFsBase.run file, it will appear as the following:

IMAGE http://www.du.edu/ifs/help/use-online/display/selfmanaged/fullset/overview.html

You have the ability to choose geographic units in IFs that are structured as country/regions, groups, decomposed groups, or geography-lists. The default setting is country/region. There are four radio buttons located above the Type Name Box that allow you to choose the geographic category that you would like.

You also have the ability to choose the run file that you would like to display. The Files Available for Display Box is located below the Type Name Box and above the Status Box for Display. The default Run-Result-File used for display is the Working File based on the Base Case (this will be the same as the Base Case unless you have begun to build your own scenario). After you have made your selection, it will appear on the left side of the Status Box for Display. The variable name, geographic unit and run file (highlighted in this case by the number "0") are all specified.

It is possible to use the variable names in the Status Box to learn more about the model structure underlying the computation of their forecasts in IFs. By clicking on the variable name, users are presented with the following options: Define, Drivers, Explain, View Equations, View Historic Analog Variable, View Code, Cancel or Delete. Clicking on Clear Select will remove any variables located in the Status Box for Display.

After you have selected the variables/parameters for the geographical units and run files that you so desire, you will want to select the Go to Display option.

It is possible to compute additional variables based on existing ones in IFs. Use the Computations button, located in the middle of the bottom of the Self Managed (Full Variable/Parameter Selection) form between Clear Select and Go to Display. Computations allows you to create formulas for forecasted variables or historical data series.