The Comparison Between Anaplan Level 1 and Level 2

Anaplan is one of the most powerful enterprise planning platforms used by businesses for connected planning — across finance, supply chain, sales, workforce, and beyond. For professionals aiming to become proficient in Anaplan, the platform offers a structured learning path called The Anaplan Talent Builder Program. This journey includes Level 1 Model Building, Level 2 Model Building, and Level 3 (Advanced) Certification.

In this blog post provided by Multisoft Systems, we’ll break down the differences in detail — covering prerequisites, course structure, learning outcomes, technical depth, and more — to help you understand what each level offers and how they prepare you for real-world Anaplan model building.

What is Anaplan Model Building?

Before diving into the differences, let’s quickly understand what model building in Anaplan means.

Anaplan models are applications built using the Anaplan platform. These models help businesses simulate scenarios, analyze data, and plan collaboratively. A model builder is responsible for designing modules, lists, dashboards, and calculations that bring planning models to life.

To become a skilled model builder, you progress through structured training — starting with Level 1.

Overview of Anaplan Level 1 Model Building

1. Purpose: Anaplan Level 1 is the foundational course designed for beginners with no prior experience in Anaplan. It teaches the core concepts of model building and helps learners get comfortable with the Anaplan environment.

2. Format: Self-paced, online learning with hands-on exercises, quizzes, and downloadable PDFs.

3. Prerequisites:

• Completion of Anaplan Way training
• No prior experience in Anaplan is needed
• Basic understanding of spreadsheets and business logic is helpful

4. Key Topics Covered:

• Anaplan user interface and navigation
• Lists, modules, and line items
• Hierarchies and dimensions
• Time and versions
• Model-to-model relationships
• Simple formulas and functions
• Dashboards and UX Pages
• Data importing and exporting

5. Final Assessment:

• Build a working Supply Chain model as part of the hands-on project
• Complete an exam and score at least 80% to earn your Level 1 certification

6. Outcome:

After Level 1, you will be able to:

• Understand the basics of how Anaplan works
• Build small-scale models using real-world scenarios
• Create dashboards and views for user interaction
• Apply fundamental formulas and functions in models

Overview of Anaplan Level 2 Model Building

1. Purpose: Level 2 Model Building is intermediate-level training, meant for learners who have completed Level 1 and are ready to explore more complex modeling concepts. This course introduces best practices, data hub architecture, and more advanced modeling techniques.

2. Format: Self-paced with case studies, model-building tasks, checkpoints, and exams. Requires active engagement in building multiple models.

3. Prerequisites:

• Level 1 certification is mandatory
• Good understanding of Excel formulas and business logic is recommended

4. Key Topics Covered:

• Data hubs and spoke models
• Model building best practices
• ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) fundamentals
• Selective access and role-based security
• Advanced formulas (LOOKUP, SUM, SELECT, FIRSTNONBLANK)
• Multi-dimensional modeling
• Data transformation between models
• Model architecture and size optimization
• Import/export automation
• Complex dashboard design using UX

5. Final Assessments:

• Build Data Hub, Supply Chain, and Financial Planning models
• Complete exams and a Level 2 Model Building Certificate

6. Outcome:

After completing Level 2, you will be able to:

• Build scalable, multi-model architecture (hub and spoke)
• Apply advanced logic and functions in modules
• Implement data security and selective access
• Design complex, performance-optimized dashboards
• Follow best practices and design standards for enterprise models

Key Differences Between Anaplan Level 1 and Level 2

Learning Path After Level 2

Once you complete Level 2, you can move on to:

• Level 3 – Advanced Model Building: Focuses on real-world case studies and collaborative modeling across teams. Prepares you for enterprise-wide modeling roles.
• Anaplan Solution Architect Path: For those aiming to become certified Solution Architects. Requires mastery of Anaplan modeling, design principles, and stakeholder communication.
• Anaplan Certified Model Builder (Official Title): After Level 2, you can apply for roles as a Certified Model Builder. Many companies hire certified professionals to lead planning transformation projects.

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Understanding the difference between Anaplan Level 1 and Level 2 Model Building is essential for anyone planning a structured and successful journey into the world of connected planning. Each level serves a unique purpose and builds on specific competencies. Level 1 certification lays the groundwork by introducing the Anaplan platform, its user interface, core building blocks like lists and modules, and basic formulas. It’s ideal for beginners and provides a strong foundation necessary to move forward confidently. In contrast, Level 2 certification takes the skills learned in Level 1 and applies them to more complex, real-world scenarios. It introduces best practices, scalable architecture through hub-and-spoke models, advanced functions like LOOKUP and SUM, and important concepts like selective access and model performance optimization.

Skipping directly to Level 2 without Level 1 can lead to confusion, as the logical structure and syntax of Anaplan require a foundational understanding. For organizations, ensuring team members complete both levels in sequence guarantees a more competent and efficient model-building team. Ultimately, recognizing the difference helps learners choose the right starting point, prepares them for certification exams, and equips them with the practical skills needed to design and manage planning models that align with business objectives and deliver lasting value.

Tips for Success

• Don’t skip the basics – Even if you’re experienced in Excel, Level 1 teaches the Anaplan way of modeling.
• Practice often – Repetition helps retain syntax, logic, and modeling strategies.
• Use Anaplan Community – Join forums and groups to connect with peers and find answers.
• Document everything – Build the habit of documenting your models. It’s crucial at Level 2 and beyond.
• Think in modules and dimensions – Anaplan is all about structured, dimension-based modeling. Get comfortable with this early.
• Test thoroughly – Always test your logic before building dependencies. This is especially important at Level 2.

Conclusion

Multisoft’s Anaplan’s Level 1 and Level 2 Model Building certifications form the backbone of any successful journey into the world of connected planning. While Level 1 equips you with the essentials of model building, Level 2 sharpens your skills for enterprise-grade modeling by introducing best practices, scalable architecture, and advanced logic.

Understanding the differences between these levels helps learners plan their progression effectively and make the most of their training investment. Whether you’re an individual looking to grow your skillset or an organization planning to build a team of Anaplan professionals, both levels are crucial milestones on the path to mastery. Enroll in Multisoft Systems now!