Scenario Planning done analogue

Proven $3.18 ROI: How Scenario Planning Actually Makes Money

August 9, 2024Blog

2024 financial planning and analysis (FP&A) tools like Pluvo are helping scenario planning, financial decision-makers make money hand over fist by making scenario planning easier.


You’re a financial decision maker, we’re an FP&A company. Let’s cut to the chase. It’s your job to make smart financial decisions, and find cost-saving opportunities in the process. It’s our job to help you make that happen. 

We do so by providing an answer to the following question: ‘How do I make more money, and cut back on expenses at the same time?’

You invest in FP&A!

According to a 2023 Nucleus Study, every dollar invested in FP&A yields an impressive $3.18 return within the first three years. 

Does a 3:1 return on investment sound like something you’d expect from FP&A software? No?

Let’s break it down:

The Power of Scenario Planning

Scenario planning is the backbone of modern financial strategy. It’s the tool that helps you prepare for the unknown – whether that’s market shifts, new competitors, or unexpected expenses. A solid financial plan is built on the backbone of scenario planning. Next-generation FP&A tools like Pluvo are a game changer for your team’s go-to scenario planner.

Instead of wading through dozens of spreadsheets and manually tweaking variables, modern tools let the user simulate/compare multiple scenarios in just a few clicks. So whether you’re forecasting headcount needs for an expansion or juggling cross-departmental budgets, you’ll have the real-time data you need to make those informed decisions quickly.

In Pluvo, you can duplicate and compare scenarios in a matter of seconds! 

See the video below for more:

The Real-time Data in Scenario Planning

Outdated – often incorrect – data is a massive liability to your business. Modern decision makers won’t even make major decisions unless there’s a rational, logical plan attached to them. 

And those types of plans need to be backed by real-time, accurate data.

Modern FP&A tools ensure that you’re working with the latest numbers. “Traditional” Excel-based reporting (end of month reports, cross referencing, manual analysis) are becoming things of the past, simply because they aren’t enough anymore. With modern tools, you save time and money by gaining instant insights into the metrics that matter, from revenue forecasts to expense tracking – and the scalability is endless.

Real-time data gives you the confidence to make decisions that align with your company’s goals—whether that’s reallocating budgets, adjusting headcount, or planning for growth. 

And when every decision is based on the most accurate information available, that $3.18 return starts to make a lot more sense.

How Custom Formulas level up Scenario Planning

Every business has its own set of financial metrics that drive success. Off-the-shelf tools might give you general insights, but they don’t always cater to the specifics of your company’s financial health. This is where Pluvo’s flexibility comes into play.

With custom metric formulas, you’re not stuck with generic templates. You can build, track, and analyze the metrics that matter most to your business. Want to see how a specific budget adjustment will impact your bottom line? Need to forecast the financial outcomes of different headcount scenarios? It’s all possible, and it’s all tailored to your needs.

The result? You’re not just tracking numbers – you’re making them work for you. Custom metrics turn raw data into actionable insights, helping you optimize every aspect of your financial strategy.

Collaboration Across Departments

Financial planning isn’t just a numbers game – it’s a team sport. For your plans to be effective, you need input and buy-in from every department. 

Next-gen FP&A tools make collaboration easier than ever!

Gone are the days of endless email chains and fragmented communication. Today’s FP&A platforms bring everyone together on a single, unified platform. Whether it’s aligning marketing budgets with sales forecasts or syncing HR’s headcount plans with finance’s projections, you get a comprehensive view of how every piece of the puzzle fits together.

This cross-departmental collaboration ensures that all teams are working toward the same financial goals, reducing the risk of miscommunication and budget discrepancies. And when everyone’s on the same page, your organization operates more efficiently, contributing to that $3.18 return.

A graphic describing what makes Pluvo's Scenario Planning capabilities so powerful

Investing in next-generation FP&A tools isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about getting ahead. With the potential to deliver $3.18 for every dollar spent, these tools are a must-have for any financial decision-maker looking to maximize efficiency, optimize budgets, and drive long-term growth.

Ready for your own 3:1 return?

Book a demo with one of our customer success managers to discover how scenario planning, real-time data, and custom financial metrics can seamlessly improve your financial strategy.


Make $3.18 for every dollar invested in FP&A tools!

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