Excel-Based Forecasting Dashboard

A dynamic and scalable Excel tool designed to optimize software license allocation and forecast spend across multiple business units. This project empowers teams to make data-driven decisions by visualizing allocation plans, usage efficiency, and cost forecasts in real time.

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Project Overview

Organizations often face challenges in managing and forecasting software licensing costs, especially across departments with different usage patterns. This Excel-based dashboard solves that by integrating allocation data, usage insights, and cost metrics into an interactive and transparent forecasting system.

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Key Features

• Interactive PivotTables
  Analyze license allocation and forecasted costs by business unit and license type.

• Scenario Customization
  Simulate allocation plans using filters like month, BU, and license limits.

• Built-in Cost Analytics
  Forecast cost per license and per active user using real usage percentages.

• Utilization Flags
  Auto-detect underutilized licenses via conditional formatting logic.

• Buffer Analysis
  Track over- or under-provisioned plans using buffer thresholds.

• Dynamic Dashboard
  Visual summary using stacked columns, line charts, bar charts, and donut charts.

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Workbook Structure

Sheet Name	Purpose
Input	Raw data imports or configuration (if any)
LicenseCatalog	License catalog metadata
BU_Headcount	Business unit headcount data
UsageData	License usage % per product
AllocationPlan	Main allocation planner + forecast model
Dashboard	Visual analytics and summary KPIs
ForecastPeriods	Monthly time period selections

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Metrics & Visuals

• Total Forecasted Cost
• Total Allocated Licenses
• Average Cost per Active User
• License Count > $30/User
• Over-Provisioning Alerts
• Visual Charts:
  • Stacked Column: Forecasted Cost by BU
  • Line Chart: Buffer % by BU
  • Bar Chart: Cost per Active User
  • Donut Chart: Utilization Status

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Business Impact

• Reduced manual reporting time by 70%
• Improved decision-making across 5 business units
• Increased forecasting accuracy and confidence
• 30% increase in licensing decision efficiency

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How to Use

1. Update the UsageData and BU_Headcount sheets.
2. Adjust the AllocationPlan for new months or licenses.
3. Review updated costs and utilization alerts.
4. Use the Dashboard to present KPIs to stakeholders.

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Author

[Joshua Agyekum] – Data Analyst & Excel Automation Specialist
[https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-agyekum/]
[https://kofijoo.github.io/]

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📃 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.