Lesson 1Profit an' cash flow basics: simple monthly gross margin an' operating profit lines; basic cash flow items (deferred revenue, collections lag)Build simple but informative monthly profit an' cash views, including gross margin, operating profit, an' basic cash flow drivers such as collections lag, deferred revenue, an' payment timing fi major expense categories.
Modeling revenue, COGS, and gross marginEstimating operating expenses and EBITDACollections lag and accounts receivable logicDeferred revenue and prepayment handlingCash timing for payroll and vendor paymentsLesson 2Scenario an' sensitivity setup: setting up scenario toggles, data tables, an' one-click switches fi alternative assumptionsExplore practical techniques fi test alternative assumptions using scenario toggles, driver cells, an' data tables, enabling one-click comparison of downside, base, an' upside cases widout breaking core model logic.
Defining base, downside, and upside casesBuilding scenario selector and driver cellsUsing Excel and Sheets data tables safelyDesigning one-click assumption switchoversTracking and documenting scenario changesLesson 3Customer flow & cohort modeling: simple cohort setup, retention curves, cohort-based revenue vs aggregate methodsUnderstand how fi model customer movements over time using cohorts, from acquisition to churn an' expansion, an' compare cohort-based revenue forecasts wid simpler aggregate approaches fi different business models.
Mapping customer lifecycle and key statesSetting up monthly acquisition cohortsDesigning and applying retention curvesModeling expansion, downgrades, and churnComparing cohort vs aggregate revenueLesson 4Choosing di spreadsheet platform an' file conventions: Google Sheets vs Excel Online, naming an' folder structureDecide between Google Sheets an' Excel Online fi collaboration, performance, an' integrations, den establish clear file naming, versioning, an' folder structures dat keep yuh 12-month forecast organized an' auditable.
Comparing Google Sheets and Excel OnlineCollaboration, permissions, and access controlPerformance limits and add-in integrationsFile naming and versioning standardsFolder structure for models and exportsLesson 5Model robustness an' reusability: using named ranges, structured input table, separation of inputs/calcs/outputsApply modeling best practices dat make yuh forecast durable an' reusable, including named ranges, structured input tables, consistent formulas, an' strict separation of inputs, calculations, an' reporting outputs.
Using named ranges and structured referencesSeparating inputs, calculations, and outputsColor-coding and labeling modeling conventionsError checks, alerts, and reasonableness testsPreparing the model for reuse and handoffLesson 6Revenue calculations: link between new MRR, expansion, churn; monthly MRR roll-forward formulas an' ARR conversionLearn fi connect new sales, expansion, an' churn into a monthly MRR roll-forward, convert MRR to ARR, an' reconcile revenue wid customer counts, ensuring formulas are transparent, testable, an' easy fi audit.
Defining MRR, ARR, and related metricsLinking new, expansion, and churned MRRBuilding monthly MRR roll-forward schedulesConverting MRR to ARR and revenue linesReconciling revenue with customer countsLesson 7Workbook architecture: recommended tabs (Assumptions, Input Dashboard, Monthly Revenue Schedule, Customer Flow/Cohorts, Cost Schedule, P&L Summary, Sensitivity Scenarios, Audit & Logs)Design a clean workbook layout wid dedicated tabs fi assumptions, inputs, revenue, customers, costs, P&L, an' scenarios, ensuring consistent flows, clear navigation, an' separation between calculations an' presentation.
Standard tab list and naming conventionsAssumptions and input dashboard structureMonthly revenue and customer flow schedulesCost schedules and P&L summary layoutScenario, audit, and log worksheet designLesson 8Core inputs an' scenarios: defining an' organizing key assumptions (starting MRR, new MRR growth, churn, ARPA, pricing tiers, seasonality)Define an' organize di core business drivers dat power yuh forecast, including starting MRR, new sales, churn, pricing tiers, ARPA, an' seasonality, an' learn how fi structure dem fi easy updates an' scenario use.
Identifying essential revenue driver inputsCapturing starting MRR and opening balancesModeling new MRR growth and sales capacityRepresenting churn, downgrades, and reactivationHandling ARPA, pricing tiers, and seasonalityLesson 9Cost modeling: modeling salaries, hosting, marketing, an' tools by month; mapping hires an' ramp; variable costs tied to usage or revenueLearn how fi translate headcount plans, vendor contracts, an' marketing plans into a monthly cost model, including fixed an' variable costs, hiring ramps, an' usage-based expenses dat scale wid revenue or activity.
Classifying fixed vs variable operating costsModeling salary, benefits, and payroll taxesPlanning hiring dates, ramps, and backfillsScheduling marketing, software, and hosting spendLinking variable costs to usage or revenue
