| Significant Accounting Policies | Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as contained in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification” or “ASC”) for interim financial information. In the opinion of management, the interim financial information includes all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows. The results of operations for the current period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or the results for any future periods. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 23, 2018. Use of Estimates The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making these estimates, actual results reported in future periods could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates embedded in the condensed consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, income taxes and the related valuation allowance, stock-based compensation and fair value measurements for our common stock and preferred stock warrant. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Appian and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Revenue Recognition We generate revenue primarily through sales of subscriptions to our platform, as well as professional services. We recognize revenue when all of the following conditions are met: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the service or product has been provided to the customer; (3) the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable; and (4) the collection of related fees is reasonably assured. If collection is not reasonably assured, we defer revenue recognition until collectability becomes reasonably assured. Our arrangements do not contain general rights of return. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Subscriptions, Software and Support Revenue Subscriptions, software and support revenue is primarily related to (1) software as a service (“SaaS”) subscriptions bundled with maintenance and support and hosting services and (2) term license subscriptions bundled with maintenance and support. To a lesser extent, we also generate revenue from the sale of perpetual software licenses and associated maintenance and support. Historically, we licensed our software primarily under perpetual licenses, but over time we transitioned from perpetual licenses to subscriptions. As a result, revenue from our perpetual software licenses was 0.1% and 1.2% of our total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. We generally charge subscription fees on a per-user basis. We bill customers and collect payment for subscriptions to our platform in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. In certain instances, we have had customers pay their entire contract up front. SaaS Subscriptions Our SaaS subscription revenue is derived from customers accessing our cloud offering pursuant to contracts that are generally one to five years in length. We perform all required maintenance and support for our cloud offering and we do not separately charge customers for hosting costs. In these arrangements, our customers do not have the right to take the software on-premises and, as a result, such arrangements are not accounted for within the scope of the software revenue guidance. Revenue from SaaS subscriptions is recognized ratably over the term of the subscription, beginning with the date our service is made available to our customer. Term License Subscriptions Our term license subscription revenue is derived from customers with on-premises installations of our platform pursuant to contracts that are generally one to five years in length. Customers with term license subscriptions have the right to use our software and receive maintenance and support. Since we do not sell maintenance and support separately from the subscription, revenue for the term license subscription and maintenance and support is recognized ratably over the term of the subscription, upon delivery of the platform to the customer when sold on a standalone basis. Perpetual Licenses Our perpetual license revenue is derived from customers with perpetual licenses to our platform and associated maintenance and support contracts. We recognize revenue from perpetual licenses on the date of delivery to our customer. We sell maintenance and support to perpetual license customers separately from the perpetual licenses pursuant to agreements that generally renew annually. Maintenance and support revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the support period. Professional Services Our professional services revenue is comprised of fees for consulting services, including application development and deployment assistance and training related to our platform. Our professional services are not essential to the functionality of our platform because the platform is ready for the customer’s use immediately upon delivery and is not modified or customized in any manner. Consulting services are billed under both time-and-material and fixed-fee arrangements. For standalone time-and-material contracts, we recognize revenue at contractually agreed upon billing rates applied to hours performed. For standalone fixed-fee contracts, we also recognize revenue as the work is performed using the proportional performance method of accounting. Training revenue is recognized when the associated training services are delivered. Training is also sold in the form of a subscription arrangement where a customer agrees to pay an annual fixed fee for a fixed number of users to have access to all of our training offerings during the year. Revenue from training subscription agreements is recognized ratably over the subscription period. We defer recognition of revenue from work performed on pending contract modifications until the period in which the modifications are accepted and funding is approved by the customer. Costs of work performed on pending contract modifications are expensed as incurred. Multiple Element Arrangements Our multiple element arrangements are from SaaS subscriptions, term license subscriptions and perpetual licenses that are generally sold in combination with maintenance and support service and frequently with professional services. SaaS Subscriptions For multiple element arrangements involving SaaS subscriptions that include professional services in addition to the subscription to our platform, we evaluate each element to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting. Because there are third-party vendors who routinely sell and provide the same professional services to our customers, our professional services are deemed to have standalone value apart from the SaaS subscription. Additionally, we offer both SaaS subscriptions and professional services on a standalone basis. Professional services revenue is therefore accounted for separately from subscription fees and recognized as the professional services are performed. We allocate revenue to the elements based on the selling price hierarchy using vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price, third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price, or if neither exists, best estimated selling price (“BESP”). In cases where we do not have VSOE or TPE of the elements of our arrangements, we use BESP to allocate revenue. We determine BESP for a service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, evaluating the weighted average of actual sales prices and other factors such as gross margin objectives, pricing practices and growth strategy. Pricing practices taken into consideration include historic contractually stated prices, volume discounts where applicable and our price lists. While we believe we can make reliable estimates regarding these matters, these estimates are inherently subjective. Once the revenue is allocated to these elements, revenue is recognized as such services are provided. Term License Subscriptions For multiple element arrangements involving term license subscriptions, maintenance and support and professional services, we do not have VSOE of fair value for the maintenance and support. Our term license subscriptions are generally not sold on a standalone basis, and therefore, we have not established VSOE of fair value for the subscriptions. Consequently, for our bundled arrangements that include certain professional services, there are two undelivered elements for which VSOE of fair value has not been established and, therefore, we utilize the combined services approach and defer all revenue until the software has been delivered and the provision of all services has commenced. We then recognize the entire fee from the arrangement ratably over the remaining period of the arrangement, assuming all other software revenue recognition criteria have been met. Perpetual Licenses For multiple element arrangements involving our perpetual software licenses, we allocate revenue to the software license arrangement by determining if VSOE of fair value exists for the undelivered elements, which are usually maintenance and support and professional services. In situations where VSOE of fair value exists for the undelivered elements, we apply the residual method whereby the fees allocated to license revenue are recognized upon delivery, the fees allocated to maintenance and support revenue are recognized over the service period and the fees allocated to professional services and training are recognized as performed. In instances where we lack VSOE of fair value for the undelivered elements, revenue is either deferred until the final element is delivered or recognized ratably over the service period when the only undelivered elements are either professional services or maintenance and support. We have VSOE for maintenance and support elements and professional services elements performed on a time and materials basis. VSOE of fair value is based upon the price charged when the same element is sold separately. In determining VSOE of fair value, we require that a substantial majority of the selling prices fall within a reasonably narrow pricing range. We reassess VSOE annually or more frequently if required. Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue primarily consists of amounts billed or billable in advance of revenue recognition from our subscriptions, software, and support and professional services described above. Deferred revenue is recognized as the revenue recognition criteria are met. Cost of Revenue Cost of Subscriptions, Software and Support Revenue Cost of subscriptions, software and support revenue consists primarily of fees paid to our third-party managed hosting providers and other third-party service providers, personnel costs, including payroll and benefits for our technology operations and customer support teams, and allocated facility costs and overhead. Cost of Professional Services Revenue Cost of professional services revenue includes all direct and indirect costs to deliver our professional services and training, including employee compensation for our global professional services and training personnel, travel costs, third-party contractor costs and allocated facility costs and overhead. Concentration of Credit Risk Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. Cash deposits may be in excess of insured limits. We believe that the financial institutions that hold our cash deposits are financially sound and, accordingly, minimal credit risk exists with respect to these balances. With regard to our customers, credit evaluation and account monitoring procedures are used to minimize the risk of loss. We believe that no additional credit risk beyond amounts provided for collection loss are inherent in accounts receivable. Revenue generated from government agencies represented 12.3% and 16.5% of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, of which the top three federal government agencies generated 6.4% and 10.8% of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Additionally, 33.3% and 22.7% of our revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, was generated from foreign customers. One customer accounted for 6.2% and 7.0% of accounts receivable at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are stated at realizable value, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectability of accounts. We regularly review the composition of the accounts receivable aging, historical bad debts, changes in payment patterns, customer creditworthiness and current economic trends. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make required payments, additional provisions for doubtful accounts would be required and would increase bad debt expense. To date, our allowance and related bad debt write-offs have been nominal. There was no change in the allowance for doubtful accounts from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018 . Deferred Commissions Deferred commissions are the incremental costs that are directly associated with subscription agreements with customers and consist of sales commissions paid to our direct sales force. Commissions are considered direct and incremental and as such are deferred and amortized over the terms of the related customer contracts consistent with the related revenue. Amortization of deferred commissions is included in sales and marketing expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Commission expense was $2.7 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 because of the relatively short duration of these instruments. We use a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. The hierarchy requires us to use observable inputs when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. The three tiers are defined as follows: • Level 1. Observable inputs based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; • Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and • Level 3. Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop our own assumptions. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs There were no changes in our Level 3 instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 . Stock-Based Compensation We account for stock-based compensation expense related to stock-based awards based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date. We calculate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes Options Pricing Model. For service-based awards, stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For performance-based awards, stock-based compensation expense is recognized using the accelerated attribution method, based on the probability of satisfying the performance condition. For awards that contain market conditions, compensation expense is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation model and recognized using the accelerated attribution method over the derived service period based on the expected market performance as of the grant date. For restricted stock units, stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating expected forfeitures. Emerging Growth Company Status We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”). The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Thus, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will not adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA") was enacted, substantially changing the U.S. Federal tax system. Notable provisions of the TCJA include the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018, the imposition of a one-time transition tax on unremitted cumulative non-U.S. earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and the implementation of a territorial tax system. While the changes from the TCJA are generally effective beginning in 2018, U.S. GAAP accounting for income taxes requires the effect of a change in tax laws or rates to be recognized in income from continuing operations for the period that includes the enactment date. Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the enactment of the TCJA, the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) allowed us to record provisional amounts in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017. Where reasonable estimates can be made, the provisional accounting should be based on such estimates. When no reasonable estimate can be made, the provisional accounting may be based on the tax law in effect before the TCJA. We are required to complete our tax accounting for the TCJA in the period when we have obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information to complete the income tax accounting. We have not completed our accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the TCJA; however, we have made reasonable estimates of the effects of the TCJA on our consolidated financial statements which are included as a component of income tax expense. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("ASU 2018-05"), which allowed SEC registrants to record provisional amounts in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017 due to the complexities involved in accounting for the enactment of the TCJA. In accordance with SAB No. 118, we recognized the estimated income tax effects of the TCJA in the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018. See Note 5 for further information regarding the provisional amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"), which clarifies when a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. ASU 2017-09 requires modification accounting if the fair value, vesting condition or the classification of the award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the award. ASU 2017-09 became effective on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides new guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the standard. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Principal Versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net) (“ASU 2016-08”), which clarifies implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (“ASU 2016-10”), which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance in ASU 2014-09. In addition, in May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (“ASU 2016-12”), which clarifies the guidance on assessing collectibility, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition. For public entities, the new standard is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. For all other entities, the new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We intend to avail ourselves of the JOBS Act extended transition period that permits us to defer adoption until January 1, 2019. The Topic 606 guidance allows two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). We currently plan to adopt the new standard using the full retrospective method to restate each prior reporting period presented. We do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on the timing of revenue recognition related to our cloud-based subscriptions and standalone professional services. However, we expect the new standard to have a significant impact on the timing of revenue recognition related to our term license subscriptions. Under current industry-specific software revenue recognition guidance, we have historically concluded that we did not have VSOE of fair value of the undelivered services related to term license subscriptions, and accordingly, have recognized term license subscriptions and related services ratably over the subscription term. Under this new standard, the requirement to have VSOE for undelivered services is eliminated. Therefore, we may be required to recognize a portion of revenue from the term license subscriptions upon delivery of the software. In addition, we expect the new standard to impact our accounting for contract acquisition costs, both with respect to the amounts that will be capitalized as well as the period of amortization. Currently, we defer the direct and incremental commission costs to obtain a contract with a customer and amortize those costs over the term of the related customer contract consistent with the related revenue. Under the new standard, we will continue to defer the direct and incremental commission costs to obtain a contract with a customer but will amortize those costs over the customer's estimated economic life. As a result, we expect the deferred commissions asset to increase and the related amortization expense in each reporting period to decrease under the new standard. We are still in the process of quantifying the effects of the adoption of Topic 606 as well as continuing to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the standard on our consolidated financial statements, including our footnotes. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires that lessees recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months in the statement of financial position. ASU 2016-2 also requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), which aims to reduce the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 will require adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case we would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2018-02"), which provides entities the option to reclassify to retained earnings tax effects related to items in accumulated other comprehensive income ("OCI") that the FASB refers to as having been stranded in accumulated OCI as a result of tax reform. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect ASU 2018-02 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. |
