Module 5 · Bigger data without bigger effort Lesson 14 of 15

What-if, Goal Seek and scenarios

The concept

This is the difference between reporting and deciding. Anyone can sum a month of sales; whoever can say what price hits the target is asked next time.

Keep the inputs in their own block so Goal Seek and the scenarios have something stable to change, and so a reader can see exactly what you varied.

SpreadsheetCopy

Model:  Price(B1) * Units(B2) - Cost(B3) = Profit(B4)

Data -> What-If Analysis -> Goal Seek
  Set cell:    B4 (profit)
  To value:    100000
  By changing: B1 (price)

Data -> Scenario Manager -> Add: Optimistic, Conservative

Worked example

With profit as a formula of price and cost, Goal Seek asks what price gives a profit of one lakh and returns the number.

Your practice task

Build a small profit model, use Goal Seek to hit a target, and save two scenarios: optimistic and conservative.

Do this before moving on. Reading a solution teaches the shape of it; typing it teaches you.

Key takeaway

This is the difference between reporting and deciding.

Almost there

15 lessons left of 15

Finish every lesson to unlock the certificate. Each one ends in a practice task — do them and the final project brief writes itself.

Next recommended course Spoken English & Interview Communication