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There are 2 modules in this course
Model Scenarios: Quantifying Financial Outcomes is an intermediate course for financial analysts and planners who must master "what-if" analysis to create resilient business strategies. In today’s economic climate, a single forecast is insufficient. This course equips you with tools to model and evaluate various potential futures using Microsoft Excel.
You will learn to identify key business drivers that differentiate base, best-case, and worst-case scenarios. Through step-by-step video tutorials, you will master Excel's Scenario Manager to build, save, and toggle between different financial outcomes, stress-testing your models against variables such as inflation, price changes, and cost savings. Lastly, you will learn how to generate and interpret automated summary reports, enabling you to communicate the impact of uncertainty to stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
For those looking to enhance their financial communication skills, this course serves as a stepping stone to "Present Financial Models: Storyboard to Success" and provides foundational skills for the "Excel Financial Modeling Mastery" path.
Please note: Solid experience building financial models in Excel, including dynamic formulas and linking cells is necessary for this course. No VBA or macro knowledge is required.
In this foundational module, you will explore the strategic importance of planning for uncertainty. You will learn to speak the language of scenario analysis by defining and differentiating between base, best-case, and worst-case scenarios. Through real-world case studies, you will analyze the key business drivers that underpin these different outcomes, setting the stage for building your own models.
What's included
2 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 13 minutes
Why Single-Point Forecasts Fail•6 minutes
How to Identify Key Business Drivers•6 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
The Language of Scenarios: Base, Best, and Worst Case•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Isolate Key Business Drivers•30 minutes
Knowledge Check•5 minutes
Application and Evaluation in Excel
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module is a hands-on workshop where you will translate theory into practice. You will get a step-by-step walkthrough of Excel's Scenario Manager, learning how to build, save, and compare multiple scenarios. You will conclude by generating a professional summary report and evaluating the financial impact of your assumptions, completing the full "what-if" analysis workflow.
What's included
1 video1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 8 minutes
How-To: Building Scenarios and Summary Reports in Excel•8 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
An Introduction to Excel's Scenario Manager•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Graded Assignment: Scenario Analysis and Summary Report•30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Model Your First "What-If" Analysis•20 minutes
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.