Guide: Set Up and Use the Timeline Forecaster in Campaign Manager

Read Time: 6 minutes

What Is This Guide For?

Learn how to set up and use Forecaster in Campaign Manager to automate timelines, manage tasks, and keep campaigns on track with real-time updates.

What Is Forecaster?

Forecaster is a dynamic scheduling tool within Campaign Manager that replaces manual campaign production worksheets. It automatically creates and updates campaign timelines based on your product SLAs, internal workflows, and advertiser feedback settings.

No formulas. No spreadsheets. Just live, accurate timelines that evolve as your campaign progresses.

Step 1: Access Forecaster

Forecaster is automatically generated the moment your campaign is converted.

To access it:

Go to the Campaigns tab in your Workspace
Open any campaign
Click on Forecaster tab

You’ll land on the Forecaster Overview Page, which shows your campaign’s full structure:

Campaign → Phases → Content → Distributions

Tasks are shown in collapsible rows with real-time indicators like:

Completed
Overdue
In Progress
Pending

Step 2: Configure Timeline Settings

Click the Setup tab in Forecaster to define how your campaign timeline is built.

Adjust What’s Included

Use toggles to turn timeline sections ON or OFF:

Signed IO
Campaign Form
Campaign Kick-Off
Content Plan

Tip: Turning off a section will hide its related SLA settings later.

Configure Advertiser SLAs

Use this section to set feedback periods and input dates for client-side tasks:

IO Signed Date
Campaign Form feedback days
Content Plan feedback days
Content Review feedback days

Dependencies will show/hide based on what you’ve included in your timeline.

Configure Internal SLAs

Set deadlines for your internal team’s tasks:

Send & Approve Campaign Form
Launch Meeting
Content Briefing
Draft Creation
Internal Review & Revisions
Days to Set Live (after approval)
Feedback Round windows

Each SLA entry represents the number of working days each task should take.

Step 3: Choose Timeline Behaviour

In the Setup screen, scroll to Live Date Restrictions to decide how the timeline should behave:

Option	Description
Flexible (Default)	The timeline shifts based on when tasks are completed. Ideal for campaigns with wiggle room.
Restrictive	Forces the campaign to meet a hard live date by compressing tasks if delays occur. Use for non-negotiable go-live dates.

Settings cascade:

Campaign Level applies to all phases
Phase Level can override the campaign
Content Level can override the phase
Distribution Level is most specific

Step 4: Update Tasks as You Go

Forecaster auto-updates downstream tasks when you:

Mark tasks as complete in the Overview
Update due dates manually
Edit SLAs or live dates in the Setup screen

You can also:

Click on any task to update its due date
Watch countdown timers update automatically

Because Forecaster is tied to your To-Do list, updates also flow through:

Campaign forms
Task due dates
Notifications and reminders

Step 5: How Forecaster Handles Delays (Restrictive Mode)

If you're using Restrictive Mode, Forecaster uses a smart algorithm to protect your live date:

Delay Handling Steps

Slack Absorption: Soaks up delays using buffer time between tasks
Proportional Reduction: Spreads the delay across remaining tasks
Trigger Alert: If there's no time left, it pauses the timeline and creates a to-do for you to resolve the issue

You’ll get notified immediately if your timeline becomes unachievable.