Forecast vs Actual Report Prompt
Prompt
Prepare forecast vs actual report. Forecast period: [MONTH/QUARTER]. Forecasted metrics: [REVENUE, JOBS, COSTS]. Actual results: [INSERT]. Output: Side-by-side comparison. Variance by metric. Forecast accuracy rating (was forecast on target?). Improvement to forecast model going forward.
Why it works
Including a 'forecast accuracy rating' as an explicit output converts the variance report into a forecasting improvement tool — if your revenue forecast is consistently 15% high, that's actionable information. The side-by-side comparison format works for operations reviews because it makes the variance visible without requiring interpretation. Asking for 'improvements to the forecast model going forward' closes the loop from analysis to learning.
Watch out for
Forecast accuracy ratings will be discouraging for new businesses or businesses that have recently changed their model — forecast variance of 20-30% is normal for early-stage or rapidly changing operations. Frame forecast accuracy as a continuous improvement metric with realistic expectations for where you are in the business lifecycle, and celebrate improvement even if absolute accuracy is still low.
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