Building a Spreadsheet Forecasting Model

Building a Spreadsheet Forecasting Model

Modern spreadsheets are very powerful tools and it is easy to build a forecasting or business model. The problem is that the formulae can quickly become very complex, and the structure of the model can get very unwieldy. The person who originally built the model may be able to navigate it well enough, but the people who have to use it, or want to study the outputs, may find it impenetrable.

What is needed is structure. A good spreadsheet model tells a story – it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The model needs to be easy to understand, so that non-experts can see how changes in variables affect the model and can take ownership of it. Equally importantly, if the person who built the model is unavailable, someone else can take over and “drive” it without too much difficulty.

Building a Spreadsheet Forecasting Model will provide delegates with the skills they need to structure and develop a practical and effective spreadsheet forecasting or planning model.

The course will focus on building models for:

• Forecasting the likely, and possible, outcomes of business activity

• Reviewing the feasibility of proposed business ventures

• Planning the financial needs and performance of business projects

• Modelling the performance of the business as a whole through various business scenarios.

This course uses Microsoft Excel but advanced knowledge of Excel is not necessary. We keep the functions and formulae used as simple as possible.

The structure to develop practical and effective spreadsheet forecasting or planning models

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What you will learn

• The need for structure when building a spreadsheet model
• The components of a well-structured spreadsheet forecasting or planning model, and why they are needed
• The steps to build a productive and understandable spreadsheet model

Rating: 3.5

Level: All Levels

Duration: 2 hours

Instructor: Ross Maynard