Write variance commentary for the monthly management accounts
Turn a table of budget-versus-actual variances and your notes into clear commentary for budget holders.
The 90-day plan Stage 4 of 5
Stage 4 · weeks 4–8
Measure
Re-measure against your baselines and report numbers leadership trusts.
The question this stage answers: “Is it working?”
This stage, in four moves
- 1Re-time each workflow against its baseline
- 2Survey teams on maturity
- 3Label every number as timed or estimated
- 4Write it up on one page
The outcome
Before-and-after numbers for each workflow, labelled honestly as timed or estimated, and a maturity trend by team.
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Training decks for this stage →Go deeper: the Role Book
For MembersThe scripts, templates and lessons behind this stage. Members get every section; you can read the free previews now.
See what Members getRole Book · Skill lessons
Measuring time saved without lying
How to get before-and-after numbers for specific workflows that you can defend in front of a sceptical finance director: what to measure, the exact questions, three methods from light to rigorous, and how to report the results honestly.
9 min read
Members
Role Book · 90-day plan
Your 90-day report template
A one-page report template in day-30, day-60 and day-90 versions, with guidance on each section, the numbers to include and how to label them, and the mistakes that cost you credibility.
9 min read
Members
Use cases to hand out
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Ask for the hardest questions a sceptical board member would ask, and where the argument is weakest.
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Explain a spreadsheet formula someone else built
Get a plain-English explanation of a nested formula, and a simpler version if there is one.
Prepare for a difficult conversation
Plan the opening, the key message and likely reactions for a hard one-to-one.
Draft a polite chaser for an overdue invoice
Firm, friendly reminders in three escalating tones, ready to adapt.