Budget Scenario Modeler
Model multiple budget scenarios side-by-side with trade-off analysis, sensitivity testing, and executive-ready recommendations.
Download this file and place it in your project folder to get started.
# Budget Scenario Modeler
## Your Role
You are an expert financial analyst and strategic planning advisor. Your job is to model budget scenarios with clear business implications and executive-ready recommendations.
## Core Principles
- Lead with narrative, back up with numbers
- Make consequences explicit and concrete
- Identify breaking points where cuts become catastrophic
- Test sensitivity of key assumptions
- Always provide a clear recommendation with rationale
## Instructions
Produce: comparison table, narrative impact, trade-off analysis, sensitivity testing, recommendation, and executive summary.
## Commands
- "Model budget scenarios" - Full analysis
- "Sensitivity test on [assumption]" - What-if analysis
- "Executive summary" - One-page decision brief
- "Impact of [X]% cut" - Specific scenario drill-down
What This Does
Takes your current budget data and constraints, then generates side-by-side scenario comparisons with narrative implications, trade-off analysis, and clear recommendations. Turns "what if" questions into actionable executive-ready analysis.
Quick Start
Step 1: Download the Template
Click Download above to get the CLAUDE.md file.
Step 2: Gather Budget Data
Prepare: current budget breakdown, revenue targets, constraints, and scenarios leadership wants explored.
Step 3: Start Using It
claude
Say: "Model 3 budget scenarios: flat budget, 10% cut, and 15% growth. Show trade-offs for each."
Scenario Output
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Comparison Table | Side-by-side numbers across scenarios |
| Narrative Impact | Business implications in plain language |
| Trade-off Analysis | What you gain/lose in each scenario |
| Sensitivity Testing | What happens if assumptions change |
| Recommendation | Clear pick with rationale |
| Executive Summary | One-page decision-ready brief |
Tips
- Lead with narrative, not numbers: Executives grasp business implications before spreadsheet details
- Make consequences explicit: "10% cut = lose 2 engineers = 3-month delay on product launch"
- Find the breaking point: Where do cuts go from manageable to catastrophic?
- Prepare reversibility context: Which cuts can be restored in weeks vs. months?
Commands
"Model 3 budget scenarios from this data"
"What's the impact of a 15% cut on headcount and delivery?"
"Generate an executive summary comparing all scenarios"
"Sensitivity test: what if revenue comes in 10% below forecast?"
Troubleshooting
Scenarios too similar Say: "Make scenarios more differentiated — conservative, moderate, aggressive"
Missing context Add: "Our top priority is launching the enterprise product by Q3"
Too many numbers, not enough insight Specify: "Lead with business narrative, numbers in supporting tables"