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Description

Business Plan: Building Assumptions, Quantifying Forecasts and Defending the Project

Build a forecast file in which every figure is explained by an assumption that can be challenged

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

A business plan is judged less on the results it displays than on the strength of the assumptions behind them. Many files present tables that are internally consistent yet rest on sales growth that nothing justifies, or overlook the gap between activity and cash collection. A finance professional spots this immediately.

Over two days, participants build a complete file: business model, commercial assumptions, forecast profit and loss statement, cash flow plan and funding plan. Each participant works on their own project and presents it at the end of the session to an audience acting as the funding party.

Learning objectives

  • Formalise the project's business model and its revenue streams
  • Build documented and well-argued commercial assumptions
  • Prepare the forecast profit and loss statement and calculate the break-even point
  • Develop the cash flow plan and identify funding pressure points
  • Build the funding plan and assess resource requirements
  • Present and defend the file before a finance professional

What makes this programme different

Each participant builds the forecast for their own project during the session
Assumptions are challenged by the group before being quantified
The final presentation takes place before an audience acting as the funding party

Programme

1Business Model and Assumptions

Explaining how the project makes money

  • Describing the offer, the target market and the value proposition
  • Revenue streams and the associated cost structure
  • Analysing the market and competitors without inventing data
  • Formulating traceable and well-argued commercial assumptions

2Forecast Profit and Loss Statement

Translating assumptions into consistent figures

  • Building forecast revenue by product or by segment
  • Estimating variable costs and the resulting margin
  • Fixed costs, payroll and investments to be planned
  • Calculating the break-even point and the minimum activity level
  • Building conservative and favourable scenarios

3Cash Flow and Funding

Checking that the project holds month after month

  • The gap between invoicing and collection and its effect on cash
  • Building the monthly cash flow plan for the first period
  • Working capital requirements and funding the operating cycle
  • Funding plan and the balance between equity contributions and borrowing
  • The order in which funding parties review the documents

4The File and the Pitch

Convincing without hiding the risks

  • Structure of the written file and content of the opening summary
  • Presenting identified risks and the planned responses
  • Preparing for the questions funding parties routinely ask
  • Delivering the pitch and handling objections

Who is it for

Business founders and buyers · owners and directors of small and medium-sized companies · profit centre managers · project managers sponsoring an investment · professionals supporting project owners.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.