What is the Lookback Period? | Help Center | Archera
Why the Lookback Period Matters
If your organization experiences temporary usage spikes or drops (for example, a recent spike in temporary usage or a drop during a weekend), the default commitment plans could be skewed by these recent fluctuations. By adjusting the lookback period to a longer timeframe, you get recommendations that are more robust to these temporary variations.
How to Set the Lookback Period
- Navigate to the Commitment Planner from the left-hand navigation pane
- Click the purple "Create Custom Plan" button on the right-hand side of the page
- Select the "Top Down" plan option from the menu
Adjusting the Lookback Period
By default, the commitment planner has a lookback period of 7 days. To lengthen this period:
- Click on "Different Range" at the bottom right of the configuration menu
- Use the slider provided to select your desired date range
- Typical examples include 30, 60, or 90 days
Completing Your Plan
Once you've set your preferred lookback period:
- Configure any other desired options for your commitment plan
- Click "Submit"
- Wait for the plan to calculate
Benefits of Longer Lookback Periods
Setting a longer lookback period allows Archera to acquire a better usage baseline to cover with the recommended commitments. This results in more accurate and reliable recommendations for your cloud infrastructure needs.