Running an analysis

Introduction

This page is a step-by-step walkthrough of running a needs analysis. It covers how to find the feature, configure the inputs, work through the four phases and their checkpoints, and what happens after you finalize the report. For a higher-level picture of what the analysis uses and produces, see What a needs analysis covers.

Getting to the Needs Analysis page

Open any client file and select Needs Analysis in the sidebar. The reports page lists every needs analysis on this client, split into two sections:

• In Progress: analyses that have started but are not yet finalized. Click one to pick up where you left off.

• Completed: finalized analyses whose report is ready to view or share. Click one to open the report view.

You can rename any analysis inline or delete it from a row menu. Deleting is permanent.

Click New Analysis to start a fresh one.

Configuring a new analysis

When you start a new analysis, DNA takes a snapshot of the client file and asks you to set three inputs before the first phase runs:

• Coverage preference: Essential, Balanced, or More Coverage. This sets the starting point DNA uses when it recommends a range for each risk.

• Living benefits: turn this on to include disability income, critical illness, and business overhead risks in the analysis.

• Custom guidance: a free-text note you can add to steer the analysis. Use it when the client has a specific situation worth accounting for, like a recent diagnosis or a business sale on the horizon.

Click Start Analysis once the inputs are set. DNA then runs phase 1 in the background.

Phase 1: Risk Identification

In the first phase, DNA looks at the client snapshot and surfaces the risks that apply to them. When the phase completes, you land on a review screen titled Review Identified Risks.

Here you can:

• Review each surfaced risk and the reasoning behind it.

• Add a risk DNA did not include.

• Remove a risk that does not apply to this client.

• Add a short note on any risk for extra context.

At least one risk must stay on the list. Click Continue to move to phase 2.

Phase 2: Coverage Analysis

In the second phase, DNA calculates a low, target, and high coverage amount for every risk you kept. When the phase completes, you land on Review Coverage Calculations.

Here you can:

• Pick the amount you want to carry forward for each risk (low, target, or high).

• Adjust the amount if none of the three fit.

• Read the reasoning DNA used to arrive at the range.

Every risk must have a selected amount before you can continue. Click Continue to move to phase 3.

Phase 3: Total Need & Strategies

In the third phase, DNA recommends insurance products that can cover the gaps you set in phase 2. When the phase completes, you land on Review Insurance Recommendation.

Here you can:

• See the primary product DNA recommends for each risk, along with secondary options when a blend makes sense.

• Include or exclude each strategy.

• Adjust the product amounts.

• Read the recommendation status on each option: Recommended, Limited, or Not Recommended.

At least one strategy must be included. Click Continue to move to phase 4.

Phase 4: Overview

In the fourth phase, DNA drafts an executive summary and key findings based on the risks, coverage amounts, and strategies you have approved. You review the overview, make edits if needed, and click Build Report to finalize the analysis.

After you click Build Report, the analysis moves to the Completed list.

Rewinding to an earlier phase

While you are building the analysis, you can go back to any earlier phase at any time. Use the phase roadmap at the top of the page and click the phase you want to return to. Changes you make there update the downstream phases when you move forward again.

Coming back to a completed analysis

Once an analysis is complete, opening it from the list takes you to the report view (see Reading and sharing the report). If you need to adjust it, click Edit at the top of the report. DNA rewinds you to phase 3 so you can change the included strategies, product mix, or amounts.

Click Cancel Edit if you change your mind. Your completed report stays exactly as it was before the edit started.