Unit 6 • Lesson 50.9h

Goal Seek: Hit Your Profit Target

Students learn to use Goal Seek to reverse-engineer pricing decisions—finding what price or volume they need to hit their profit goals.

What You'll Learn
  • Use Goal Seek to find the price or volume needed to hit a target profit
  • Set up a CVP model with input cells for price, volume, fixed costs, and variable cost per unit
  • Run Goal Seek with correct parameters (Set Cell, To Value, By Changing Cell)
  • Interpret Goal Seek results in business context
  • Apply Goal Seek to test pricing scenarios for Sarah's PriceLab
Key Concepts
Goal Seek: reverse-engineering profit targets
CVP model inputs: Price, Volume, Fixed Costs, Variable Cost
Set Cell, To Value, By Changing Cell dialog parameters
+2 more concepts
Lesson Phases

This lesson follows a structured 6-phase learning model designed for authentic project-based learning.

Hook

Discover why Sarah needs Goal Seek to find her target price.

Start Phase

Introduction

Master Goal Seek mechanics: Set Cell, To Value, By Changing Cell.

Start Phase

Guided Practice

Practice the Goal Seek workflow in a safe simulator.

Start Phase

Independent Practice

Build the CVP model and use Goal Seek in Excel.

Start Phase

Assessment

Verify Goal Seek mechanics and interpret results.

Start Phase

Closing

Reflect on reverse-engineering profit targets.

Start Phase
How You'll Learn
Business scenario driving tool necessity
Direct instruction on Goal Seek mechanics
Safe rehearsal before real workbook build
Independent practice with CVP workbook