Build an Annual Planning Pack
This guide describes how to build an annual planning pack using Model Reef models as the engine for financial projections and then structuring the outputs into a board or management ready set of materials.
Before you start
You should have:
A Budget model for the upcoming year.
At least one alternative scenario model (for example a downside or upside case).
A working understanding of how to export or summarise outputs from Model Reef.
If needed, review:
Build a Multi Scenario Comparison (A vs B vs C)
Build a Budget vs Actuals Model
What you will build
A core Budget model that underpins the plan.
Companion models for alternative scenarios if required.
A planning pack that includes:
P&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow highlights.
Cash Waterfall and funding needs.
Key operational and financial metrics.
Scenario and sensitivity commentary.
Finalise the Budget model for the planning year
In your Budget model:
Ensure all revenue, cost, staffing, capex and financing assumptions are up to date for the planning year.
Confirm that period settings align with the financial year.
Review outputs:
P&L projections.
Cash and debt trajectory.
Valuation if required.
This model is the backbone of the Annual Planning Pack.
Build companion scenario models
If you plan to present alternatives, for example a more ambitious growth case or a conservative downside case, then for each scenario:
Duplicate the Budget model.
Adjust assumptions logically to reflect the scenario narrative.
Confirm that each scenario model is internally consistent.
You now have a family of models that represent the planning envelope.
Decide which outputs to include in the pack
For most planning packs you will want:
Financial statements highlights:
Revenue.
Gross profit.
EBITDA.
NPAT.
Cash and debt.
Cash and funding:
Cash Waterfall summary.
Funding gaps or headroom.
Operational metrics:
Units or customers.
Headcount.
Key unit economics.
Make a short list of metrics and periods to export from each model.
Extract and organise outputs from Model Reef
From each model:
Export selected series to CSV or copy values into a planning document.
Build tables and charts that summarise:
Budget case.
Scenario cases if relevant.
Use consistent formatting and units across tables.
At this stage you are assembling the financial backbone of the pack.
Add narrative and strategic context
Alongside the numbers, include:
High level narrative:
Market context.
Strategic priorities for the year.
Key assumptions:
Growth drivers.
Pricing strategy.
Cost and investment programmes.
Scenario insight:
Conditions under which you might move from Budget to Upside or Downside.
Model Reef supports this by providing structured numbers. The pack itself is typically assembled in a document or deck tool.
Integrate Budget vs Actuals where helpful
If you are building the plan after part of the year has passed, or if you want to reference prior year performance:
Use your Budget vs Actuals comparison to show:
How prior year plans compared to reality.
Lessons or adjustments baked into the new plan.
Summarise these insights in the planning pack to show a coherent learning loop.
This makes the pack forward looking but grounded in past performance.
Check your work
The Budget model and scenario models are consistent and clearly named.
Key outputs have been extracted accurately from each model.
Tables and charts are aligned in terms of periods, units and definitions.
Narrative and numbers support each other and tell a coherent story.
Troubleshooting
Related guides
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