Lesson ProgressPhase 4 of 6
Phase 4Independent Practice
Independent Practice: Build the Scenario-Switch Dashboard

Build the real multi-sheet scenario-switch workbook with selector and KPI checks

Phase 4: Workbook Sprint

Build the Scenario-Switch Workbook by Sheet

Build a selector-driven workbook where scenario and method choices flow into outputs, KPI tiles, and checks. This phase is assessed on lookup chain correctness and KPI interpretation.

Starting Workbook

Download unit07-lesson06-student.xlsx

Workbook tabs: Inputs, Drivers, MethodSummary, Outputs, KPI, Checks, Dashboard.

Reference Layout by Sheet

Formulas are displayed as text so you can inspect structure before building in Excel.

Inputs Sheet

Control cells for scenario, method, and key.

ABCDE
1ControlValueFormula / SourcePurposeCheck
2SelectedScenarioBaseData ValidationScenario selectorBase/Stretch/Downside
3SelectedMethodFIFOData ValidationMethod selectorFIFO/LIFO/Weighted Average
4SelectedKeyBase|FIFO =SelectedScenario&"|"&SelectedMethodLookup keyMatches MethodSummary[Key]
5UnitSellingPrice40InputRevenue calculationPositive value
6BeginningInventory180InputAverage inventory KPIFrom source inventory
7GAFS1150InputCost conservation targetUsed in checks
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Drivers Sheet

Scenario assumptions table.

ABCDE
1ScenarioUnitsSoldDefaultMethodAsOfDateComment
2Base35FIFO2026-03-31Baseline demand
3Stretch39LIFO2026-03-31Higher demand
4Downside32Weighted Average2026-03-31Lower demand
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MethodSummary Sheet

One row per scenario+method output.

ABCDEF
1KeyScenarioMethodCOGSEndingInventoryBalanceCheck
2Base|FIFOBaseFIFO690460 =D2+E2
3Base|LIFOBaseLIFO770380 =D3+E3
4Base|Weighted AverageBaseWeighted Average731.82418.18 =D4+E4
5Stretch|FIFOStretchFIFO778372 =D5+E5
6Stretch|LIFOStretchLIFO850300 =D6+E6
7Stretch|Weighted AverageStretchWeighted Average815.45334.55 =D7+E7
8Downside|FIFODownsideFIFO624526 =D8+E8
9Downside|LIFODownsideLIFO710440 =D9+E9
10Downside|Weighted AverageDownsideWeighted Average669.09480.91 =D10+E10
Outputs Sheet

Lookup chain from selectors to current outputs.

ABCDE
1OutputValueFormulaMeaningSource
2SelectedUnitsSold35 =XLOOKUP(SelectedScenario,Drivers[Scenario],Drivers[UnitsSold])Scenario demandDrivers sheet
3SelectedCOGS690 =XLOOKUP(SelectedKey,MethodSummary[Key],MethodSummary[COGS])Scenario+method COGSMethodSummary sheet
4SelectedEndingInventory460 =XLOOKUP(SelectedKey,MethodSummary[Key],MethodSummary[EndingInventory])Scenario+method EIMethodSummary sheet
5GAFS1150Input constantCost conservation targetShared inventory layers
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KPI Sheet

Turnover and days-on-hand formula chain.

ABCDE
1KPIValueFormulaInterpretationCheck
2Revenue1400 =SelectedUnitsSold*UnitSellingPriceSales dollarsUnitsSold x price
3Gross Margin %50.7 =(Revenue-SelectedCOGS)/RevenueProfitabilityFormat as percent
4Average Inventory320 =(BeginningInventory+SelectedEndingInventory)/2Inventory baseUsed for turnover
5Inventory Turnover2.16 =SelectedCOGS/AverageInventoryVelocityHigher means faster flow
6Days on Hand169.3 =365/InventoryTurnoverHolding durationLower means faster flow
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Checks Sheet

Visible trust checks before recommendation.

ABCDE
1CheckStatusFormula PatternPurposeAction
2GAFS BalanceBalanced =IF(ABS((SelectedCOGS+SelectedEndingInventory)-GAFS)<0.01,"Balanced","Check")Cost conservationDebug lookup source row if failed
3SelectedKey FoundOK =IFNA(XLOOKUP(SelectedKey,MethodSummary[Key],MethodSummary[COGS]),"Missing Key")Lookup healthFix key text mismatch
4Units Sold ValidOK =IF(SelectedUnitsSold>0,"OK","Check Drivers")Scenario setupReview Drivers row
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Dashboard Sheet

Executive display linked to Outputs + KPI.

ABCDE
1TileDisplayed ValueSource CellPurposeCheck
2ScenarioBase#NAME?ContextMatches selector
3MethodFIFO#NAME?ContextMatches selector
4COGS690FIFOPrimary cost metricMatches Outputs
5Turnover2.162.16Velocity metricMatches KPI
6Days on Hand169.3169.3Holding metricMatches KPI
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Build Sequence

Block 1: Inputs + Drivers

  1. Create scenario and method dropdown controls.
  2. Create the Drivers table with UnitsSold per scenario.
  3. Build SelectedKey from scenario + method.

Checkpoint: changing controls updates SelectedKey correctly.

Block 2: MethodSummary + Outputs

  1. Build scenario+method summary rows for COGS and Ending Inventory.
  2. Lookup SelectedUnitsSold from Drivers by scenario.
  3. Lookup SelectedCOGS and SelectedEndingInventory from MethodSummary by key.

Checkpoint: Base|FIFO returns COGS 690 and Ending Inventory 460.

Block 3: KPI Sheet

  1. Calculate revenue from units sold and selling price.
  2. Calculate gross margin, average inventory, turnover, and days on hand.
  3. Format KPI outputs for dashboard readability.

Checkpoint: Base|FIFO turnover ≈ 2.16x and days on hand ≈ 169.3.

Block 4: Checks + Dashboard

  1. Add visible checks for GAFS balance and lookup health.
  2. Link dashboard tiles to Inputs, Outputs, and KPI cells.
  3. Verify dashboard updates from only selector changes.

Checkpoint: GAFS check shows Balanced for every selected pair.

Definition of Done
  • Selectors drive one lookup chain from Inputs to Dashboard.
  • MethodSummary includes all scenario+method rows with correct outputs.
  • KPI calculations update correctly for any selected pair.
  • Checks surface model issues before recommendations are made.
  • You can explain the formula chain sheet-by-sheet in plain language.
Professional Expectations (Non-Scored)
  • Use clear names for control and output cells.
  • Keep structured references consistent across sheets.
  • Add validation and error handling as standard workbook quality.
Fallback

Use the teacher workbook to compare your sheet structure if your lookups fail:

Download unit07-lesson06-teacher.xlsx