How to Use Scenario Forecasting in AskBiz
AskBiz's scenario forecasting tool lets you model best, base, and worst cases for your key metrics. Learn how to build and use forecast scenarios.
Key Takeaways
- Access scenario forecasting under Financial Intelligence > Scenario Planner
- Build up to three scenarios (best, base, worst) by adjusting key assumption levers
- AskBiz shows the revenue, margin, and cash flow impact of each scenario
- Save and share scenarios with your team or investors
What scenario forecasting does
AskBiz's Scenario Planner allows you to build multiple forward-looking views of your business by adjusting key assumptions and seeing the projected impact on revenue, gross margin, and cash flow. Rather than committing to a single forecast number, scenario planning lets you model a range of outcomes and plan for each — preparing contingency actions for the downside and growth investments for the upside.
Accessing the scenario planner
From the main navigation, go to Financial Intelligence, then select Scenario Planner. AskBiz pre-populates a base scenario using your historical data and current trends. You will see your projected revenue, gross margin, and net cash position for the next 12 months under the base assumptions. From here, you can modify assumptions to build your best and worst case scenarios.
Adjusting assumptions
The Scenario Planner allows you to adjust a set of key business assumptions using sliders or input fields. Common assumptions include: revenue growth rate (what if sales grow faster or slower than trend?), gross margin (what if COGS increase due to supplier price rises?), marketing spend (what if you increase or decrease acquisition investment?), and fixed cost base (what if you hire additional headcount?). Each adjustment instantly updates the projected P&L and cash flow chart.
Building and naming scenarios
AskBiz supports up to three scenarios simultaneously (labelled Best, Base, and Worst by default, though you can rename them). Once you have adjusted your assumptions for each scenario, click Save Scenario. You can then toggle between scenarios to compare their projected outcomes. The Scenario Comparison view overlays all three scenarios on a single chart, making it easy to see the range of potential outcomes.
Sharing and acting on scenarios
Export your scenarios as a PDF to share with investors, your board, or your finance team. The export includes the assumption inputs for each scenario alongside the projected financial outputs — giving stakeholders full transparency on what drove each projection. Use the worst-case scenario to stress-test your cash position: if the worst case materialises, how many months of runway do you have and what actions would you take? Documenting these contingency actions in advance is what separates prepared businesses from reactive ones.