> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getnovaplan.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> From connected data to your first forecast and brief in one sitting.

This guide takes you from a fresh workspace to a live forecast and an executive brief. It is the short version. When you want the day-by-day plan, follow the [First week](/tutorials/first-week) tutorial.

## Prerequisites

* A Novaplan workspace and a sign-in (your admin invites you).
* At least one data source ready to connect: your HRIS (HiBob), your GL (NetSuite), your CRM (Salesforce or HubSpot), Snowflake, or a CSV export. See [Connect your data](/connect-data).

## Get started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect a data source">
    In **Admin, then Data**, connect HiBob, NetSuite, Salesforce, Snowflake, or upload a CSV. Novaplan lands a lossless raw record from each source, then curates it into clean people, GL, and revenue records. Bad rows are flagged individually rather than silently dropped. See [Connect your data](/connect-data).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a budget version">
    Everything in Novaplan is scoped to a **budget version** (for example "2026 Plan" or "Rolling Forecast"). The live, unlocked version is where you plan, and locked versions are frozen snapshots you compare against. See [Core concepts](/concepts).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Plan headcount">
    Open **Planning, then Headcount** to model your team from a live HRIS snapshot, add open positions, and see fully loaded cost per employee per month. Walk through it in [Plan headcount](/tutorials/plan-headcount).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Plan revenue">
    Open **Planning, then Revenue** to model ARR. Choose a forecast method (pipeline, drivers, or top-down targets) and project your topline. Walk through it in [Plan revenue](/tutorials/plan-revenue).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the forecast">
    Run the forecast to project costs and revenue across your window. Headcount and revenue each derive into the GL, so every dashboard reflects your latest plan automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Compare and explain">
    Open **Reporting, then Comparison Center** to see your plan against actuals or a frozen target, then generate a **Brief** to get the variance story written for you. Walk through it in [Build a brief](/tutorials/build-a-brief).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask Nova">
    Type a question in plain language anywhere in the app. Nova answers on your real numbers with charts, tables, and navigation, scoped to the page you are on. See [Ask Nova](/nova/ask-nova).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Where to go next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="First Week" icon="graduation-cap" href="/tutorials/first-week">
    A day-by-day onboarding plan from connected data to your first board-ready brief.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Core Concepts" icon="book-open" href="/concepts">
    Budget versions, scenarios, actuals vs forecast, lock levels, and dimensions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect Your LLM" icon="plug" href="/nova/connect-your-llm">
    Turn your own copilot into an FP\&A operator with the Novaplan MCP server.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  Need help during your pilot? Reach your Novaplan contact directly, or email [support@getnovaplan.com](mailto:support@getnovaplan.com).
</Tip>