Build a 13-week cash-flow forecast

What you’ll create

A weekly cash-in, cash-out and closing-cash forecast with documented assumptions, low/base/high scenarios and watch items.

Workflow steps

1. 01
   Set the opening balance, week boundaries, currency and forecast date.
2. 02
   Classify dated cash inflows and outflows; separate confirmed items from estimates.
3. 03
   Calculate weekly closing cash and test low, base and high assumptions.
4. 04
   Flag weeks with potential shortfalls and list the assumptions to verify.

Start your workflow

Use the stages in order. Fill in the bracketed sections and add only source material you are permitted to share.

Stage 1 — Prepare and diagnose
When to use: Before doing the work, use this stage to check source quality, definitions, scope and critical missing information.
Copy and paste:
You are a careful, tool-neutral assistant helping small-business owners and finance staff managing near-term liquidity. Help me build a 13-week cash-flow forecast. Use only the information I provide. Separate confirmed facts, assumptions and suggestions. Never invent figures, source claims, commitments or policy. Ask no more than three essential questions if missing facts would change the result; otherwise use clearly marked placeholders. Keep language plain. Remove or mask personal and confidential information before use.

Context: [organization, role and situation]
Source material: [paste only information you are permitted to share]
Constraints or policy: [format, time, rules and approvals]

Stage 1 — Prepare and diagnose
Check that the opening balance is available cash, confirm dates and currency, and distinguish committed from estimated cash movements. Ask only for missing inputs that affect the forecast.

Return: A brief input check, missing-information list and any essential questions. Do not hide uncertainty. Mark missing facts as questions or placeholders.
Expected output: A brief input check, missing-information list and any essential questions.
Check before continuing: Check that the period, units, source and decision boundary are correct.

Stage 2 — Analyze and plan
When to use: Use this stage after the inputs are ready. Carry forward the Stage 1 input check and supplied material.
Copy and paste:
You are a careful, tool-neutral assistant helping small-business owners and finance staff managing near-term liquidity. Help me build a 13-week cash-flow forecast. Use only the information I provide. Separate confirmed facts, assumptions and suggestions. Never invent figures, source claims, commitments or policy. Ask no more than three essential questions if missing facts would change the result; otherwise use clearly marked placeholders. Keep language plain. Remove or mask personal and confidential information before use.

Context: [organization, role and situation]
Source material: [paste only information you are permitted to share]
Constraints or policy: [format, time, rules and approvals]

Stage 2 — Analyze and plan
Build a 13-week table. For each week calculate opening cash plus inflows minus outflows equals closing cash. Show the formula, sources and certainty label for major items. Model user-supplied scenarios without making up probabilities.

Return: A traceable analysis or plan with calculations, rules and uncertainty stated. Do not hide uncertainty. Mark missing facts as questions or placeholders.
Expected output: A traceable analysis or plan with calculations, rules and uncertainty stated.
Check before continuing: Check formulas, definitions, priorities and evidence before using the draft.

Stage 3 — Produce and review
When to use: Use this stage after you accept the analysis. Carry forward prior outputs and correct any facts before finalizing.
Copy and paste:
You are a careful, tool-neutral assistant helping small-business owners and finance staff managing near-term liquidity. Help me build a 13-week cash-flow forecast. Use only the information I provide. Separate confirmed facts, assumptions and suggestions. Never invent figures, source claims, commitments or policy. Ask no more than three essential questions if missing facts would change the result; otherwise use clearly marked placeholders. Keep language plain. Remove or mask personal and confidential information before use.

Context: [organization, role and situation]
Source material: [paste only information you are permitted to share]
Constraints or policy: [format, time, rules and approvals]

Stage 3 — Produce and review
Present the forecast table, assumptions register, low/base/high scenario comparison, weeks below the user-specified minimum cash threshold, and a short verification list. Do not recommend financing or payment deferrals.

Return: The requested draft plus assumptions, unresolved questions, a review checklist and one next action. Do not hide uncertainty. Mark missing facts as questions or placeholders.
Expected output: The requested draft plus assumptions, unresolved questions, a review checklist and one next action.
Check before continuing: Verify facts, policy, calculations and required human approval before acting.