> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.agentnoon.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.agentnoon.com/reference-guides/glossary.md).

# Glossary

Agentnoon terminology and definitions

A comprehensive reference of Agentnoon terminology, workforce planning concepts, and common abbreviations.

## A

### Access Groups

Permissions configuration that controls which employees/positions a user can see based on field values (department, location, etc.). Admins create access groups to restrict data visibility.

**Example:** "Engineering Team" access group shows only Engineering department employees.

**Learn more:** [Access Groups](/admin-capabilities/overview-1/access-groups.md)

### Admin

A user with elevated permissions to configure Agentnoon, manage users, upload data, and control system settings. Admins have access to Settings, Data Management, and user configuration features.

**Learn more:** [Admin Overview](/admin-capabilities/overview.md)

### Aggregator

In Forecast, the field used to group rows (e.g., Department, Location, Employee Type). Determines how data is summarized in the forecast table.

**Example:** Aggregating by Department shows one row per department with total headcount/cost.

**Learn more:** [Forecast Overview](/forecast/overview.md)

### Approval Flow

Multi-stage review process where scenarios are submitted for approval by designated approvers (Level 0-3). Ensures workforce planning changes are reviewed before implementation.

**Learn more:** [Configuring Approval Flows](/admin-capabilities/configuring-approval-flows.md)

### Approval History

Log of all approval/rejection actions on a scenario, including timestamps, approver names, and reasons for rejection.

### Attributes

See **Fields and Attributes**

### Auto Mapping

Automatically populates dependent fields when you select certain values. Example: select Pay Grade + Job Family → salary auto-populates from rate card.

**Learn more:** [Auto Mapping](/admin-capabilities/automapping.md)

### Attrition

The rate at which employees leave the organization (voluntary or involuntary). Modeled in Agentnoon by closing positions or setting termination dates.

## B

### Before/After/Changes

Three scenario view modes: **Before** = Main Org baseline, **After** = scenario final state, **Changes** = delta.

**Learn more:** [Forecast Navigation](/forecast/navigation.md)

### Bench, The

Positions without a manager assigned. Used as a holding area during reorganizations or before final placement.

### Broken Hierarchy

Error state where a position's manager doesn't exist or reporting relationships form an invalid loop. Indicated by an orange link icon in the toolbar.

**Fix:** Assign valid managers or escalate broken positions to org roots.

### Budget (Scenario Budget)

Target savings or spending amount set when creating a scenario. The OpEx Panel tracks progress toward this budget.

**Learn more:** [Budget Planning & Tracking](#budget-scenario-budget)

### Bulk Operations

Actions performed on multiple positions simultaneously (e.g., bulk close, bulk edit). Available in Directory view by selecting multiple rows.

**Learn more:** [Bulk Operations](/scenarios/using-scenarios-basics/bulk-operations.md)

## C

### Card

Visual representation of a position in org chart view. Shows position details (title, name, salary, department, etc.) and employee details (if filled).

**Learn more:** [Key Concepts - Cards](/start-here/concepts.md)

### Card Content

Toolbar tool that lets you customize which fields appear on position cards. Control what information is visible in org chart view.

**Learn more:** [Main Org Toolbar](/main-org/navigation.md)

### OpEx Panel

Panel showing all modifications in a scenario: additions (green), reductions (red), modifications (blue), with net cost and headcount impact.

**Also called:** OpEx Panel, Scenario Impacts and Changes

**Learn more:** [Scenario Changes & Impact (OpEx)](/scenarios/opex-panel.md)

### Compensation (Total Compensation)

Sum of all pay components (salary, bonus, stock, allowances). In Agentnoon, total compensation = base salary + any additional monetary fields configured.

### CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

File format used for data uploads. A spreadsheet exported as a .csv file with columns representing fields and rows representing positions/employees.

**Learn more:** [Data Requirements](/admin-capabilities/overview-2/data-requirements.md)

## D

### Data Management

Admin-only feature for uploading CSV files, configuring live integrations, and managing data refresh. Accessible via Main Org toolbar → Data Management button.

**Learn more:** [Data Refresh & Sync](/admin-capabilities/data-refresh-sync.md)

### Data Refresh

Process of updating Main Org with latest employee/position data from your HRIS. Can be manual (CSV upload) or automated (live integration).

**Learn more:** [Data Refresh & Sync](/admin-capabilities/data-refresh-sync.md)

### DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)

Employee demographic fields used for analyzing workforce diversity (gender, ethnicity, disability status, etc.). Custom fields in Agentnoon.

### Department

Organizational unit grouping (e.g., Engineering, Sales, Marketing). Common aggregator for reporting and forecasting.

### Directory

Spreadsheet-style table view of positions/employees. Alternative to org chart view. Useful for filtering, sorting, and bulk operations.

**Learn more:** [Directory Overview](/directory/overview.md)

### Direct Reports

Positions reporting directly to a manager (not indirect reports). A manager with 5 direct reports has a SOC of 5.

## E

### Effective Date

Date when a change takes effect in Forecast projections. Used to phase organizational changes over time.

**Learn more:** [Time-Based Planning](/scenarios/time-based-planning.md)

### Employee

A person filling a position. Employee-specific details (name, hire date, performance rating) are tracked separately from position details (title, salary, department).

**Learn more:** [Position vs Headcount Management](/reference-guides/overview-1/position-vs-headcount.md)

### Employee Field

Field that describes the person in a position (e.g., employee name, hire date, performance rating), not the position itself. Appears in white section of position cards.

### Export

Download data from Agentnoon in various formats: CSV (for Excel), PowerPoint (for presentations), or Image (PNG/JPEG).

**Learn more:** [Main Org Export](/main-org/exporting.md)

## F

### Field

Data attribute for positions or employees (e.g., Salary, Department, Title, Location). Fields can be standard (built-in) or custom (user-created).

**Learn more:** [Fields and Attributes Management](/admin-capabilities/overview-3/fields.md)

### Filter

Toolbar tool to narrow down visible positions based on field values (e.g., show only Engineering dept, only San Francisco location).

**Logic:** AND between categories, OR within categories.

**Learn more:** [Main Org Toolbar](/main-org/navigation.md)

### Forecast

Agentnoon module for viewing workforce data over time. Provides pivot table-style visualization of headcount and cost projections (monthly, quarterly, yearly).

**Key principle:** Forecast is view-only (visualization), not for making changes.

**Learn more:** [Forecast Overview](/forecast/overview.md)

### Formula

Calculated field based on other fields (e.g., Fully Loaded Cost = Salary + Benefits + Taxes).

**Learn more:** [Formulas](/admin-capabilities/overview-2/formulas.md)

### FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)

Measure of employee workload. 1.0 FTE = full-time, 0.5 FTE = half-time. Used to calculate total workforce capacity.

### Full Org Scenario

Scenario that copies your entire Main Org. Use for company-wide planning (annual hiring plans, budget cuts, reorgs).

**Learn more:** [Creating Scenarios](/scenarios/creating-scenarios.md)

## H

### Headcount

Number of employees (people filling positions). Headcount ≠ position count: you may have 100 positions but only 85 filled (15 vacancies).

**Learn more:** [Position vs Headcount Management](/reference-guides/overview-1/position-vs-headcount.md)

### Highlight

Toolbar tool to color-code position cards by field values (e.g., highlight by Department → each dept gets a different color).

**Learn more:** [Main Org Toolbar](/main-org/navigation.md)

### Hire Date

Date when a future position starts. Controls when the position appears in Forecast projections.

**Learn more:** [Building Headcount Forecasts](/forecast/building-headcount-forecasts.md)

### HRIS (Human Resources Information System)

Source system for employee data (Workday, BambooHR, ADP, etc.). Agentnoon imports data from your HRIS.

## I

### IC (Individual Contributor)

Employee without direct reports. Not a manager.

**Metric:** IC Count = total employees minus managers.

### Integration (Live Integration)

Automated connection between your HRIS and Agentnoon. Syncs data automatically on a schedule (hourly, daily, weekly).

**Types:** SFTP, Workday, REST API

**Learn more:** [Data Refresh & Sync](/admin-capabilities/data-refresh-sync.md)

## L

### Layers

Number of management levels between CEO and frontline employees. More layers = taller org; fewer = flatter. Example: 5 layers = CEO → VP → Director → Manager → IC.

### Level 0/1/2/3 Approvers

Four-tier approval system:

* **Level 0:** Scenario-specific first approver
* **Level 1:** Global first approver (all scenarios)
* **Level 2:** Global second approver (all scenarios)
* **Level 3:** Scenario-specific final approver

**Learn more:** [Configuring Approval Flows](/admin-capabilities/configuring-approval-flows.md)

### Live Integration

See **Integration**

### Lock Scenarios Upon Submission

Setting that prevents scenario editing after submission for approval. Ensures approvers review a stable version.

**Learn more:** [Configuring Approval Flows](/admin-capabilities/configuring-approval-flows.md)

## M

### Main Org

Your current organizational structure. View-only—reflects real data from your HRIS. Cannot be edited directly (create scenarios to model changes).

**Learn more:** [Main Org Overview](/main-org/overview.md)

### Manager

Employee with one or more direct reports.

**Metric:** Manager Count = employees with at least 1 direct report.

### Mandatory Field

Field that must be filled when creating a new position. Configured by admins in field settings.

### Metrics

System-calculated values displayed throughout Agentnoon (SOC, manager count, IC count, total cost, etc.).

**Learn more:** [Org Metrics & Insights](/main-org/metrics-insights.md)

### Monetary Field

Pay component field (Salary, Bonus, Stock, Allowances). Can be displayed as separate columns in Forecast.

## N

### New Org Scenario

Scenario starting from scratch (no positions copied from Main Org). Use for modeling brand-new teams or business units.

**Learn more:** [Creating Scenarios](/scenarios/creating-scenarios.md)

## O

### Open Position

Position without an assigned employee (vacancy). Contributes to position count but not headcount.

**Also called:** Vacant position

### OpEx Panel

Side panel showing scenario budget, cost/headcount impact, and list of changes. Used to submit scenarios for approval.

**Full name:** Operating Expense Panel, also called "Scenario Impacts and Changes"

**Learn more:** [Budget Planning & Tracking](#budget-scenario-budget)

### Org Chart

Visual hierarchy view of your organization showing reporting relationships. Default view in Agentnoon.

**Learn more:** [Main Org Overview](/main-org/overview.md)

## P

### Partial Data Upload

CSV upload that updates specific fields without replacing all data. Must include Employee ID to match records.

**Learn more:** [Partial Data Upload](/scenarios/advanced-actions/partial-data-upload-1.md)

### Partial Org Scenario

Scenario that copies only a specific part of Main Org (e.g., just Engineering dept). Use for department-specific planning.

**Learn more:** [Creating Scenarios](/scenarios/creating-scenarios.md)

### Pay Grade

Compensation level or band (e.g., Grade 10, Grade 11). Often used with rate cards to auto-populate salaries.

### Position

A role with defined structure and budget (title, department, salary, manager). Position = the role; Employee = the person filling it.

**Learn more:** [Position vs Headcount Management](/reference-guides/overview-1/position-vs-headcount.md)

### Position Field

Field that describes the position itself (e.g., Title, Salary, Department), not the employee. Appears in colored section of position cards.

## R

### Rate Card

Compensation reference table that auto-populates salaries for new positions based on criteria (pay grade, job family, location).

**Learn more:** [Rate Cards / Compensation Bands](/admin-capabilities/compensation-cards.md)

### Reporting Relationship

Defines who reports to whom, creating the hierarchy in org charts.

### RIF (Reduction in Force)

Layoffs or workforce reduction. In Agentnoon, modeled by closing positions in scenarios.

### Row Aggregator

See **Aggregator**

## S

### Salary

Base annual compensation. Primary field for workforce cost calculations. Does not include bonuses, stock, or other pay components (unless configured as additional monetary fields).

### Scenario

Sandbox workspace for modeling organizational changes. Scenarios don't affect Main Org—they're for testing "what-if" alternatives.

**Types:** Full Org, Partial Org, New Org

**Learn more:** [Scenarios Overview](/scenarios/overview.md)

### Scenario Refresh

Feature (in development) to update a scenario with recent Main Org changes. Preserves scenario modifications while incorporating new data.

**Learn more:** [Scenario Refresh](#scenario-refresh)

### SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

Method for live data integration. Your HRIS exports CSV files to SFTP server, Agentnoon pulls them automatically.

**Learn more:** [Importing Data via SFTP](/technical-documentation/what-is-a-live-data-integration/available-data-integration-methods/importing-data-via-sftp.md)

### Show Before/After/Changes

See **Before/After/Changes**

### SOC (Span of Control)

Number of direct reports a manager has. Healthy range: 5–10 (context-dependent).

**Learn more:** [Key Concepts - Span of Control](/start-here/concepts.md)

### Spotlight

Toolbar tool for conditional formatting. Highlights positions matching specific rules (e.g., SOC > 10, salary > $200K).

**Learn more:** [Main Org Toolbar](/main-org/navigation.md)

### SSO (Single Sign-On)

Authentication method using company identity provider (Okta, Azure AD, Google). Users log in with company credentials.

**Learn more:** [Single Sign-On (SSO)](/technical-documentation/authentication-and-identity-security/single-sign-on-sso.md)

## T

### Toolbar

Left sidebar with tools for navigating and analyzing org data (Search, Filter, Highlight, Card Content, Views, Export, etc.).

**Learn more:** [Main Org Toolbar](/main-org/navigation.md)

### Termination Date

Date when an employee leaves or position is closed. Controls when the position disappears from Forecast projections.

### Time Period

In Forecast, the column granularity: Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly. Determines how cost/headcount data is displayed over time.

**Learn more:** [Forecast Navigation](/forecast/navigation.md)

## V

### Vacant Position

See **Open Position**

### View

Saved configuration of filters, highlights, and card content for quick reloading.

**Learn more:** [Main Org Toolbar](/main-org/navigation.md)

## W

### Workforce Hub

Analytics module with pre-built charts and visualizations (headcount by department, cost distribution, SOC analysis, etc.).

**Learn more:** [Chart Navigation](/hub/chart-library.md)

### Workforce Planning

Strategic process of designing organizational structure, planning hiring, and forecasting workforce costs. Agentnoon's primary use case.

**Workforce Planning vs. Talent Management:** Planning focuses on positions and structure; talent management focuses on individual employees and performance.

## Common Abbreviations

* **CSV** - Comma-Separated Values (file format)
* **DEI** - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
* **FTE** - Full-Time Equivalent
* **HRIS** - Human Resources Information System
* **IC** - Individual Contributor
* **MFA** - Multi-Factor Authentication
* **OpEx** - Operating Expense
* **RIF** - Reduction in Force
* **SFTP** - Secure File Transfer Protocol
* **SOC** - Span of Control
* **SSO** - Single Sign-On

## Industry Workforce Planning Terms

### Budget Variance

Difference between planned (forecasted) workforce cost and actual workforce cost.

### Burden Rate

Multiplier applied to salary to account for benefits, taxes, and overhead (e.g., 1.3x burden rate means total cost = salary × 1.3).

### Compression

Situation where pay gaps between levels are too small (e.g., ICs making more than their managers). Indicates compensation structure issues.

### FP\&A (Financial Planning & Analysis)

Finance function responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling. Often collaborates with HR on workforce planning.

### Fully Loaded Cost

Total cost of an employee including salary, benefits, taxes, overhead, and other expenses. May be 1.3-1.5x base salary.

### Org Design (Organizational Design)

Process of structuring an organization to align with business strategy. Includes defining teams, reporting relationships, and layers.

### Strategic Workforce Planning

Long-term planning (3-5 years) of workforce needs aligned with business strategy. Focuses on what roles are needed, when, and at what cost.

### Talent Management

Operational management of individual employees (recruiting, performance, development, retention). Complements strategic workforce planning.