Scenario Modeling & What-If Analysis

The quality of scenarios depends on the assumptions. Keboola ensures the mechanics are right (i.e., given inputs, the financial outcomes are calculated correctly through the model). To get realistic assumptions, you involve cross-functional experts: e.g., sales forecasts under scenario X might come from the sales team's input, operations might provide cost adjustment plans under scenario Y, etc., all feeding into the central model. The platform makes it easy to integrate those inputs. Also, because you can include external data (like macro forecasts) and even build statistical models, your scenario assumptions can be data-driven. It's advisable to back-test scenarios: for instance, apply your scenario model to past situations (e.g., the 2020 pandemic year) to see if it would have produced a reasonable range that included actual outcomes. This builds confidence that the scenarios are grounded. Ultimately, Keboola gives you the toolset to be roughly right quickly rather than precisely wrong with a huge effort – and you can always refine scenarios as new information comes in.

Speed, scope, and reliability. In Excel, a complex what-if might require multiple linked sheets and a lot of manual tweaking. It's easy to make a mistake or forget to change a cell, and suddenly your scenario is off. Keboola uses the controlled model that's been validated, so any scenario is just changing inputs – you're not rebuilding logic each time. It can handle far more complexity (hundreds of products, multiple years, etc.) without breaking, whereas Excel might slow down or get too unwieldy. And if someone wants a slightly different assumption, you can adjust and recompute in seconds, which in Excel could mean hours of rework. Also, in Keboola multiple people can collaborate on scenario inputs simultaneously (sales, finance, ops can each tweak their part), which is not straightforward in Excel. Lastly, Excel what-ifs often focus on the income statement; Keboola scenarios will give you full financials, providing a holistic view. So, it's about making scenario planning a strength of your finance function rather than a risky, once-in-a-while effort.

If desired, you can expose a simplified interface to non-finance users – for example, a slider or input form for key variables (like % sales change, or investment level) that they can adjust and see headline impacts. Keboola can connect with BI tools to present such an interface. Many times, finance teams will curate a few scenarios and then discuss with executives, rather than letting them free-form change everything (to avoid misinterpretation). But certainly, in workshops or planning meetings, the FP&A team can drive the scenario tool live, taking input like "what if we cut marketing by 10%?" and showing the result instantly – this engages executives more in the process. The technical heavy-lifting is under the hood; the interface can be as user-friendly as needed. Some companies have even given division managers a "scenario sandbox" for their unit, where they can test ideas (with guardrails). All in all, Keboola's scenario capability can be made very accessible with the right front-end, so it's not just a back-office thing but a strategic decision support tool for leadership.