4.4 Data Generator-Calculated Split Cost Allocation Handling

The data generator-calculated split cost allocation for data generator-defined services is a capability that can be offered by data generators which allocates a charge to a more granular level or, in some cases, surfaces detail not visible in the origin charge (such as unused capacity). This is accomplished by taking a charge record present in a FOCUS dataset (origin charge) and splitting it into multiple charge records (allocated charges) to reflect the more granular detail, while ensuring the origin charge can be derived from the combination of allocated charges. This feature is used by practitioners to conduct chargebacks and better understand the usage of resources.

Column conforming to DataGeneratorCalculatedSplitCostAllocationHandling attribute MUST adhere to the following requirements:

• FOCUS dataset column representing a dimension MUST match the corresponding value in the origin charge when present in an allocated charge.
• FOCUS dataset column representing a non-summable metric (e.g., unit prices) MUST match the corresponding value in the origin charge when present in an allocated charge.
• The sum of FOCUS dataset column across allocated charges MUST match the FOCUS dataset column in the corresponding origin charge when the FOCUS dataset column represents a summable metric (e.g., costs and quantities).

An attribute that allows data generators to offer more detailed cost and usage information based on a method defined and documented by the data generator, including support for allocating costs in cases where the usage of a resource might not match the units the resource is measured in.