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Sensitivity Analysis

Run a sensitivity test on material prices: create a scenario table that increases key material unit rates by 10% and 2…

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See the prompt↓More forecast workflows

The same job, four prompts

do it · improve it · decide · become
AExecute — “help me do it”Run a sensitivity test on material prices: create a scenario table that increases key material…+
Run a sensitivity test on material prices: create a scenario table that increases key material unit rates by 10% and 20%, recalculate total project cost under each scenario, and summarise the change in absolute and percentage terms for the client.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”Before I show this to the client, make the sensitivity clear and actionable — list which…+
Before I show this to the client, make the sensitivity clear and actionable — list which materials drive the difference, show the change to the contingency and contract sum, produce a tornado chart of material-by-material impact, and include a short recommendation on procurement timing or hedging to limit exposure.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
The tool
What-If Analysis

What-If Analysis in Microsoft Excel helps you explore how changing input values affects formula outcomes.

  1. 1

    Open your Excel workbook and select the cell containing the formula you want to analyze.

  2. 2

    Navigate to the Data tab on the Excel ribbon.

  3. 3

    In the Forecast group, click What-If Analysis.

  4. 4

    Choose one of the three What-If Analysis tools: Scenario Manager, Goal Seek, or Data Table.

    NoteEach tool serves a different analytical purpose for your data.

  5. 5

    For Scenario Manager: Click Add, enter a Scenario name, define Changing cells, and set values for each scenario.

    Best practiceAvoid hard-coding values directly into formulas; instead, reference cells that can be changed by Scenario Manager.

  6. 6

    For Goal Seek: Set the Set cell to your formula, enter your To value, and specify the By changing cell.

    NoteGoal Seek finds the input value needed to achieve a desired result.

  7. 7

    For Data Table: List input variables in a column or row, and enter a formula referencing the input cell in an adjacent cell.

    NoteData Tables calculate multiple results for one or two input variables.

  8. 8

    For Data Table: Select the range including your input values and formula, then click What-If Analysis > Data Table.

  9. 9

    For Data Table: Enter the Row input cell and/or Column input cell that your formula references.

  10. 10

    Confirm your selections by clicking OK to apply the analysis.

To access advanced What-If Analysis features like Solver, enable the Analysis ToolPak add-in via File > Options > Add-Ins.

Yes, What-If Analysis can be automated using VBA macros or by integrating Excel with other programming languages.

Glossary

words on this page
Column input cellThe cell in a data table that substitutes different values for each column.ExampleThe data table shows how profit changes when the 'interest rate' cell varies across columns.
Analysis ToolPakAn Excel add-in providing data analysis tools for financial, statistical, and engineering data.ExampleUsing the Analysis ToolPak, you can quickly run a regression analysis on your sales data.
By changing cellSpecifies the input cells that Solver can modify to reach the desired outcome.ExampleSolver adjusts the 'quantity ordered' cell to find the maximum profit.
Scenario ManagerA What-If Analysis tool that lets you create and save different groups of values as scenarios.ExampleYou use this to compare projected profits under 'Best Case' and 'Worst Case' conditions.
What-If AnalysisThe process of changing values in cells to see how those changes affect the outcome of formulas.ExampleYou change sales figures to see how different outcomes affect your total revenue.

The real tasks

8 of them
Run a sensitivity test to show the client how total cost changes if key material prices rise 10–20%.
Run a sensitivity check on the budget to show how cost increases in concrete or steel change the overall project contingency need.
Run a sensitivity check on outcome measures to see how much a client's progress changes if a session is missed or a medium is swapped so I can prioritise interventions.
Run a sensitivity check on elevation corrections to see how small changes in control points affect contour placement on the finished sheet.
Run a sensitivity analysis on expected sediment reduction when changing buffer width so we can make a defensible recommendation.
Run a sensitivity check showing how conversion rate changes would affect ROI so we can advise the client on bid strategy.
Run a short sensitivity check to see how long lead times affect project completion dates for a new instrument.
Run a sensitivity check that shows which assumptions change site risk the most so legal staff can see the uncertainty bounds.

Who does this

10 roles
Architectural Project ManagerDigital Campaign ManagerFinance ManagerLegal AdvisorSales ExecutiveTransportation PlannerArchitectArt TherapistCartographerConservation Scientist

Questions people ask

honest answers

Because you rarely think 'I want the redaction tool'. You think 'I have to share this without leaking the client's details'. Start from the need, and the feature finds you.

Real. Every job here was drawn from what people in real roles were actually seen doing in Excel — not a feature checklist.

No. Each page gives you a ready prompt you can paste into an AI assistant, plus the plain steps to do it yourself. Start with either — the goal is the finished job, not the tool.