Forecasting Support & Scenario Analysis

Claude does not predict the future. Claude helps you structure the assumptions that drive your forecast and stress-test those assumptions across scenarios. The value is not in the forecast itself — it is in making the assumptions explicit, visible, and testable.

The scenario analysis prompt: "Given these historical trends [data] and these assumptions [list], build three scenarios: base case (assumptions hold), upside case (key assumptions improve by [X]%), and downside case (key assumptions deteriorate by [Y]%). For each scenario, project revenue, operating income, and cash flow for the next 4 quarters. Show which assumptions drive the largest variance between scenarios." The last instruction is the insight — it identifies the assumption that matters most, which is where management should focus their attention and their hedging strategy.