Split target groups dynamically in MA campaign

[netoks]

Hi,

maybe someone already had same case. I need to split target groups by different percent with every execution (values in yellow):

 

The problem is, that I cannot use data item for this, as values can be dependent on previous executions and current execution (size of target group), so I cannot calculate data item before executing campaign, as I don’t know what current targetgroup will be. I was thinking about providing macro variables in “Requested %” fields and calculate those variables in process node, but split node accepts only numbers. Does anyone have any other idea, how I can inject those values into split node on campaign execution?

[Dmitry_Alergant · Accepted solution]

Hi,

This is a very typical situation... Unfortunately, out-of-the-box Split node can't do that, and the way to go is to develop your own Process Node / Diagram Tool stored process that does what you need.  Carefully review SAS MA User Guide for details about how a Stored Process must be defined in Metadata so it produced two named cells "TG" and "CG" when placed on a diagram.

Best regards, Dmitriy. 

[netoks]

That worked, thanks. One more question before closing this topic. Is there a way to rename output cell name? I know that it is generated by default and it is possible change it in process node:

But I want different names by default, e.g. "Target group" and "Control group".

[Dmitry_Alergant]

Yes, it's possible.  There are some keywords to be added to the Stored Process definition in metadata that does exactly that - set up a number and default names for output cells. I don't recall exact keywords - it is documented in SAS MA User Guide, in a section where it describes how to create stored processes for process nodes.

[netoks]

MA User guide does not mention anything about changing output cell naming:

Only these keywords are provided:

• InSubjectID
• OutSubjectID
• MaxCells
• MinCells
• NumberOfCells

Can it be so, that there is no such possibility in MA 6.5 anymore?

[JamesAnderson]

HI,
Its not possible to set the cell names, they are controlled by the UI. I believe the reason for this is that Cell name (and node name) need to be unique within a diagram, so if you have 2 of these nodes in the diagram, it needs to handle the names and generate them automatically (First Node: Output(1), Output(2); Second Node: Output(3), Output(4)) so that they are unique in the diagram.
Rgds
James

[netoks]

Thanks for clarification!