Skip to main content

​
Overview

This module extends the budgeting system with rolling forecasts, budget scenarios, and reusable budget templates. It enables dynamic financial planning through what-if analysis and continuous forecast updates. Navigation: Finance & Accounting → Budgeting → Rolling Forecasts / Scenarios / Templates

​
Rolling Forecasts

​
What is a Rolling Forecast?

A rolling forecast extends beyond the traditional annual budget by continuously projecting financial performance over a fixed horizon (e.g., 12 or 18 months). As each month completes, the forecast rolls forward, always looking ahead the same number of periods.

​
Creating a Rolling Forecast

  1. Navigate to Rolling Forecasts and click New Forecast
  2. Enter a Forecast Name and optional description
  3. Select the Source Budget to base the forecast on
  4. Set the Forecast Horizon (number of forward periods)
  5. Choose a Sharing Level (private, department, organization-wide)
  6. Click Create

​
Editing Forecast Lines

  1. Open a forecast to view its line items (inherited from the source budget)
  2. Adjust amounts for each period based on latest information:
    • Updated revenue projections
    • Known expense changes
    • New initiatives or cuts
  3. Changes are saved automatically

​
Version History

Every time you save significant changes, a version snapshot is created:
  • View all versions in the Version History tab
  • Each version captures the complete line_snapshot at that point in time
  • Compare versions to see how the forecast evolved
  • Versions track who made changes and when

​
Forecast Statuses

​
Budget Scenarios

​
What are Budget Scenarios?

Budget scenarios let you create alternative versions of a budget to model different outcomes. Common scenario types include best case, worst case, and custom projections.

​
Creating a Scenario

  1. Navigate to Budget Scenarios and click New Scenario
  2. Enter a Scenario Name and description
  3. Select the Base Budget to start from
  4. Choose a Scenario Type:
    • Best Case – Optimistic projections
    • Worst Case – Conservative/defensive projections
    • Custom – Any other modeling purpose
  5. Click Create

​
Editing Scenario Lines

The scenario inherits all lines from the base budget. Modify them to reflect the scenario’s assumptions:
  1. Open the scenario detail page
  2. Use the Line Editor to adjust amounts by account, fund, department, or program
  3. Each line shows the base budget amount alongside your scenario amount for easy comparison
  4. Add notes to document your assumptions

​
Comparing Scenarios

The Scenario Comparison View shows scenarios side by side:
  1. Select 2+ scenarios to compare
  2. View differences by account, department, or program
  3. Variance columns show absolute and percentage differences
  4. Use this to present options to leadership for budget decisions

​
Scenario Statuses

​
Budget Templates

​
What are Budget Templates?

Budget templates provide reusable starting points for creating budgets. They define a standard set of line items, accounts, and dimensional coding that can be applied to new budgets.

​
Creating a Template

  1. Navigate to Budget Templates and click New Template
  2. Enter a Template Name and description
  3. Define template lines:
    • GL Account assignments
    • Default amounts (optional – can be zero as placeholders)
    • Fund, department, and program coding
  4. Save the template

​
Template Library

The Template Library provides a browsable collection of templates:
  • Organization templates – Created by your team
  • Filter by category or search by name
  • Preview template structure before applying
  • Click Use Template to create a new budget from a template

​
Applying a Template

  1. When creating a new budget, choose Start from Template
  2. Select a template from the library
  3. The new budget is pre-populated with the template’s line items
  4. Adjust amounts and coding as needed for the specific fiscal period

​
Tips & Best Practices

  • Update forecasts monthly – Roll forward after each month-end close
  • Limit active scenarios – 3-4 scenarios per budget cycle is optimal
  • Document assumptions – Use notes on scenario lines to explain changes
  • Archive old versions – Keep the workspace clean by archiving completed forecasts
  • Standardize with templates – Create templates for recurring budget patterns (e.g., department operating budgets, grant budgets)
  • Use comparison views – Present scenario comparisons to stakeholders for informed decision-making

​
Glossary