Instructor
Justin Muscolino
Forecasting allows organizations to anticipate outcomes, plan resources, and make informed decisions.
Excel provides versatile tools for scenario planning, including What If Analysis and Solver, which enable managers to model assumptions and evaluate the impact of different decisions.
The session begins by introducing forecasting concepts and best practices. Participants will learn how to structure models, define key assumptions, and identify critical drivers of financial outcomes. We'll cover the fundamentals of What If Analysis, including Data Tables, Goal Seek, and Scenario Manager, to test different assumptions and visualize potential results.
Next, the course explores Excel's Solver tool, which allows participants to determine optimal solutions for complex business problems. Practical exercises will show how Solver can help with budgeting, resource allocation, and decision-making under constraints.
Throughout the session, participants will work with real-world examples to build forecasts that are dynamic, transparent, and easy to update. Emphasis is placed on interpreting outputs correctly, communicating insights clearly, and understanding the limitations of models.
Finally, the course covers how to integrate scenario planning into regular business processes. Participants will learn techniques to maintain, update, and present forecasts in a format that supports executive decision-making, risk assessment, and operational planning. By the end of the session, participants will be able to use Excel's advanced tools to forecast, plan scenarios, and make data-driven decisions with confidence.
Planning for the future is never straightforward. Small changes in assumptions sales growth, costs, or market conditions—can significantly impact budgets and financial performance. Without scenario analysis, managers may be caught off guard by unexpected results.
This session provides practical, hands-on guidance for using Excel to forecast with multiple scenarios. You'll learn how to apply What If Analysis to test different assumptions, build dynamic models, and anticipate financial outcomes. Participants will also learn how to use Excel's Solver tool to find optimal solutions for budgeting, staffing, or investment decisions.
The course emphasizes clarity and usability. You'll learn how to structure your forecast models, link assumptions to outputs, and communicate results effectively to stakeholders. Real-world examples will demonstrate how scenario planning can improve strategic planning, resource allocation, and risk management.
By the end of the course, participants will have the skills to build robust Excel forecasts, test multiple scenarios, and present actionable insights to support confident decision-making.
