VIEW OUTLINE - PDF 
 
 
Start Date: 26 Oct, 2025
End Date : 30 Oct, 2025
Duration   : 5 Days
 
Overall Description: 
This course start with strategic planning to determine what direction the firm should take. Then you will develop a workable forecast based on your assumptions; move onto results-focused budgeting analysis from this forecast; then use the “what-if” tools based in Excel© to “test” your budget, and finally develop reports of the results for accountability.
 
Course Objectives: 
Understand what is included in a solid strategic plan.
How to develop supportable assumptions.
Create realistic forecasts from solid assumptions.
Use the forecasting tools build into Excel©.
How the forecasting process leads to better budgeting.
How to run “what-if” scenarios to make better decisions.
Link responsibility, authority & accountability using reporting.
Develop needed reports that tell you what you need to know in a timely manner.
How to use these reports to match strategic goals to actual performance.
You will walk away with comprehensive planning to implementation tool.
 
Course Outline (Content):
 
Introduction
What is strategic planning?
Limitations of strategic planning.
Specific problems associated with strategic planning.
Assessment tools including SWOT, Porter’s 5-forces, GE & BCG models.
Developing the plan & strategic objectives.
 
Mapping your Strategy
Strategic Planning Process Flowchart.
Competitive Analysis.
SWOT Analysis.
Strategic Goals.
Why we have to plan before we forecast?
 
Introduction to Forecasting
What is forecasting?
Strategic role of forecasting.
The forecasting process.
Forecasting demand.
Sales forecasting using various methods in Excel©.
 
Qualitative Forecasting Models
Market surveys, Delphi, Life cycle analogy, Expert opinions, Sales force polling.
 
Quantitative Forecasting Models
How the FORECAST, GROWTH & TREND Functions in Excel© simplify the forecasting process?
The Components of a Time Series.
 
“What-if” analysis
What is Scenario analysis?
What is Sensitivity analysis?
What is Simulation analysis?
What is Optimization?
.
What-if tools
How to develop random numbers using Excel©?
How to use Goal Seek in Excel©?
How to use Solver in Excel©?
 
Budgeting and the Management Process
What is a budget?
Why & how is it different from a forecast?
Budgets - the financial expression of the operating plan.
The purpose of budgets – planning & control.
Advantages and limitations of budgets.
 
The Framework for Budgeting
Elements of the budget framework.
Types of budgets: flexible, zero-based, static.
The pro forma financial statements.
Operating versus non-operating revenue.
Listing of major budgeting software.
How to evaluate budgeting software?
 
Budgeting Costs and Expenses
Operating expenses - Selling, G&A, R&D
Direct variable expenses
Indirect Fixed expenses
Assignable and non-assignable expenses
 
Reporting & Meaningful Measurements
Variance analysis.
Calculating different types of related variances.
Performance measurement as a linking and integrating tool.
The Balanced Scorecard Operational:
Financial.
Customer.
Learning & growth.
 
Reporting
Reporting.
Internal Reporting – managerial.
External Reporting – financial & regulatory.
 
Linking it together
Linking strategic planning, forecasting budgeting and reporting.
Reporting and performance analysis.
 
 
Who Should Attend?
Financial executives.
Financial Professionals, Finance Controllers & Treasurers.
Operating and Inventory Professionals.
Any Professional, at a medium and senior level, who is a part of the decision-making team .
 
 
Course Methodology:
We utilize a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. This training course will be conducted as a highly interactive workshop session. A variety of training methodologies will be used Before and during the course whenever applicable. Some of these methods are gamification, online pre-post test, role plays, self-assessment instruments, group exercises & case studies.