How does one possible operating choice compare with another?
Northstar compares 15.1-month base runway, a 22-plus-month measured-growth case and a 9.4-month hiring case. Each reflects its own assumptions.
Explore the sample companyScenario planning
Retain base, upside, downside, and custom cases so teams can understand what changes each outcome.
PlanningSample company
Cash scenariosHiring assumption +$36k/mo
ObservedForecast
Today: $482,000 · Dashed lines: forecastsBase plan
15.1 moMeasured growth
22+ moAccelerated hiring
9.4 moScenarios, not guarantees.
How does one possible operating choice compare with another?
Forward plans lose decision value when assumptions are hidden, versions are overwritten, or workforce costs are maintained outside the financial model.
- Scenario
- A hypothetical set of assumptions used to explore an outcome, not a prediction or change to actual records.
- What it works with
- Retained baseline, upside, downside or supported custom assumptions.
- What you get
- Comparable alternatives that help a team inspect trade-offs before committing to a decision.
How the work progresses
Who uses it
Founders and finance teams comparing budgets, workforce costs and possible operating decisions.
- Retain a baseline case for comparison.
- Create a supported alternative with explicit assumptions rather than changing historical records.
- Compare outcomes and inspect what differs before making an operating decision.
A concrete example
Illustrative, not customer data.
What still needs judgment
Plans and forecasts are hypothetical estimates, not promises. Headcount planning is not an HRIS or payroll processor, and payroll accounting does not execute payroll or tax filings.
AI can explain assumptions and sensitivities, while deterministic planning logic owns outputs. AI cannot approve a plan, hire, run payroll, or change posted accounting.
Available workflows depend on your plan, permission scope, configuration and supported data. Compare plans before choosing.
Before you use scenario planning
Can I explore this before connecting company data?
The public demo is a fixed, read-only sample company. It illustrates supported product areas without creating an account or accessing customer data; it is not proof that every configured workflow is available in the tour.
What should I verify before relying on an output?
Confirm scope, source coverage and timing. For this capability, review retained baseline, upside, downside or supported custom assumptions. An operating status or AI explanation does not replace the required review of accounting evidence.
Does an explanation automatically authorize a financial action?
No. AI can explain assumptions and sensitivities, while deterministic planning logic owns outputs. AI cannot approve a plan, hire, run payroll, or change posted accounting.
Continue the workflow
See the work in context.
Explore a read-only sample company, or start with your own supported data.