Lesson ProgressPhase 1 of 6
Phase 1Hook
Hook: Build the Scenario-Switch Dashboard
Investor pressure: compare scenario and method outcomes in one live dashboard
🎯 Phase 1: Hook — Live Demo
Sarah’s Inventory Dashboard: One Screen, Three Scenarios
A client wants to compare Base, Stretch, and Downside outcomes and decide in minutes. Sarah now needs one workbook that switches scenario and method on command, then explains COGS, ending inventory, turnover, and days-on-hand without manual rewiring.
Investor Decision Agenda
- Question 1: Which method produces the strongest inventory turnover in each scenario?
- Question 2: How much does COGS shift when we switch FIFO, LIFO, and Weighted Average?
- Question 3: Which method gives the best story for margin, cash, and risk?
Workbook Strategy for This Lesson
=XLOOKUP(SelectedScenario, Drivers[Scenario], Drivers[UnitsSold], "Missing")
=SelectedScenario & "|" & SelectedMethod
=XLOOKUP(SelectedKey, MethodSummary[Key], MethodSummary[COGS], "Missing")
- Switch scenario and method from two control cells
- Pull output row by key instead of nested IF chains
- Feed KPI tiles and chart from one summary table
Integration Pitfalls & Best Practices (Inventory)
Predict what fails under growth and what stays reliable.
1. An investor asks for Base, Stretch, and Downside results in one screen. What workbook pattern supports fast switching with traceable logic?
2. Why do scenario + method dropdowns matter to an investor conversation?
3. What builds investor trust during a live inventory demo?
0 of 3 questions answered
Turn and Talk
Discussion Prompt (3 minutes):
- What signals help an investor decide in 10 seconds?
- Which KPI would you defend first: margin, turnover, or days-on-hand?
- What evidence makes a method recommendation credible?