When to use this
- A rep asks “why is this amount different than expected?”
- A deal moved between periods or changed status unexpectedly.
- You need an audit-friendly explanation for Finance/Payroll.
The investigation flow
- Confirm you’re looking at the right thing
- Deal, participant, and period (especially if the deal is split or has multiple participants).
- Confirm plan selection
- In Calculation → Plan Selection, confirm which plan/version was selected and why.
- Confirm timing
- In Calculation → Anchor Date, confirm which date anchored the deal to the period.
- Confirm effective inputs
- In Calculation → Build Input, compare source vs effective values (overrides can change outcomes).
- Confirm execution
- In Calculation → Execution, confirm the base amount, rate, tiers/accelerators, and any derived variables.
- Confirm gates/status
- In Calculation → Gates, confirm whether a gate is blocking payout (Waiting) or whether the deal is eligible.
How to write the explanation (template)
- Selected plan/version:
<plan name>(approved/pending; why it was selected) - Anchor date & period:
<date>→<period> - Key inputs (effective):
<amount>,<deal type>,<currency>,<any critical flags> - Rate/base logic:
<base>×<rate>(include tier/accelerator triggers if present) - Status/gate:
<earned/pending/waiting/paid>(what is missing, if Waiting)
What to capture as evidence
- A screenshot (or notes) of Plan Selection, Build Input, and Gates.
- Any overrides applied (what field, what changed, and why).
- A link to the deal discussion thread with the final explanation.