Your forecast is only as good as your data.

If your numbers are off, your decisions will be too.

Planning ahead only works when the numbers you’re using reflect what’s actually happening.
But if your business forecast looks good on paper while bills keep piling up, or if your sales projections are consistently off — it’s a sign your systems need a reset.

We see this all the time: a polished spreadsheet of business projections, yet unpredictable cash flow and a growing gap between budgeting vs actual results. This doesn’t mean you’re bad at planning — it means your forecast might be outdated, disconnected, or built on assumptions that no longer hold.

Why Forecasts Fail

  • You built your plan once — and haven’t touched it since.

  • You’re guessing future income based on gut feeling, not current numbers.

  • Your expense and revenue data is scattered across platforms, emails, or people.

  • Your cash flow mismatch is growing, but your forecast doesn’t show it.

Where to Start: A Forecast You Can Actually Use

You don’t need to overhaul your entire financial system — but you do need a regular habit of reviewing and adjusting.

1. Anchor your forecast to real-time data
Check in with your bank balance, current income, and upcoming bills at least weekly. Your forecast should reflect what’s actually in the bank — not what you hope will come in.

2. Review and update projections monthly
Set a recurring time to revisit your forecast. Compare sales projections with actual results. What changed? Are clients paying later? Are expenses higher? Adjust accordingly — even small tweaks help.

3. Keep it in one place
Use a spreadsheet or tool that lets you track your forecast, actual income, and spend side by side. You don’t need anything fancy — but it should be organized and easy to update.

4. Focus on short and mid-term views
While it’s nice to plan for the next 12 months, short-term views (4–6 weeks) help with immediate decision-making, especially when cash flow is unpredictable.

Need Help Making This Work?

If your forecast isn’t helping you make confident decisions — we can help. We work with founders to build simple, adaptive forecasting systems that evolve with your business and support smarter planning.