Comparing up to Five Scenarios
Compare up to five scenarios against your baseline forecast to understand how different business decisions may affect future cashflow and identify the option that best supports your goals.
Not every business decision has a single answer.
Scenario comparison allows you to review multiple possible outcomes side-by-side, helping you understand which option best supports your business goals.
Instead of testing one idea at a time, you can compare several scenarios against your baseline forecast to see how different decisions may affect future cashflow.
Why Compare Scenarios?
Business decisions often involve multiple options
For example:
- Should I hire one employee or two?
- Should I purchase equipment outright or finance it?
- Which project creates the strongest cash position?
- What happens if customer payments are delayed?
Comparing scenarios helps you evaluate these options before committing to a decision.
What Can I Compare?
BCB allows you to compare:
- Your Baseline Forecast
- Individual Scenarios
- Multiple Scenarios at the same time
You can compare up to five scenarios simultaneously, providing a broader view of potential outcomes.
Understanding the Comparison View
The comparison view helps you evaluate how each scenario impacts your future forecast.
When reviewing scenarios, pay attention to:
Closing Cash Position
Which scenario leaves your business with the strongest projected cash position?
Timing Differences
Do the impacts occur immediately or later in the forecast period?
Cashflow Movement
How does each scenario affect cash inflows and outflows?
Overall Trend
Which option aligns most closely with your business goals?
Compare Decisions, Not Just Numbers
Scenario comparison is most valuable when evaluating real business decisions.
Examples include:
- Hiring Options
Compare: One employee, two employees, delayed hiring
- Equipment Purchases
Compare: Immediate purchase, purchase next quarter, leasing instead of buying
- Business Growth
Compare: Additional work, different project opportunities, alternative pricing approaches
Each scenario provides a different view of how your future forecast could change
What Doesn't Happen During Comparison?
Comparing scenarios does not:
- Change your Baseline Forecast
- Modify connected integrations
- Apply changes to other scenarios
- Commit you to a decision
Scenario comparison is designed for evaluation and planning
When Should I Apply a Scenario?
After comparing multiple options, you may decide that one scenario best reflects the direction you want your business to take.
At that point, you can review the scenario and choose Apply to Baseline.
Applying a scenario is a separate decision and should only occur after you are comfortable with the forecast impact.
Better Decisions Through Comparison
Comparing multiple scenarios helps move planning beyond assumptions and spreadsheets.
By reviewing different outcomes side-by-side, you can:
- Understand the impact of multiple options
- Compare decisions before committing
- Identify potential risks earlier
- Choose the option that best suits your business goals
- Make more confident planning decisions