Strategic Forecasting & Risk Management

Strategic Forecasting & Risk Management

Instructors: Manish Gupta

Included with

Learn more

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Evaluate industry dynamics using strategic frameworks.
Forecast revenues, expenses, and cash flows.
Apply capital budgeting & risk management techniques.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 3 modules in this course

Navigate uncertainty with a structured approach to strategic forecasting, investment evaluation, and risk management. This course explores how macroeconomic trends, industry dynamics, competitive positioning, and company-specific drivers shape financial performance and long-term value creation. Learners use frameworks such as Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT analysis, and industry life cycle analysis to develop realistic assumptions for revenue growth, margins, cash flows, and capital allocation decisions.

The course covers financial forecasting techniques including trend analysis, scenario planning, and Monte Carlo simulation, alongside essential capital budgeting tools such as Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), payback analysis, and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). Learners also examine market, credit, operational, and liquidity risks through stress testing, sensitivity analysis, Value at Risk (VaR), and practical risk mitigation strategies. Through hands-on exercises and a comprehensive CFO-focused project, learners build forecasting models, evaluate investments, and develop risk management plans that support informed financial decision-making in dynamic business environments.

Learn to translate macro, micro, and competitive dynamics into clear forecasting assumptions. Use strategic frameworks to understand industry structure, company positioning, and growth drivers.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 78 minutes

Intro Video to Course 2 minutes
Module Introduction 2 minutes
Macro to Model: GDP, Inflation, Rates, FX, and Commodity Pass-Through 8 minutes
Micro Drivers: Capacity, Cost Curves, Supply Chains, and Unit Economics 10 minutes
Five Forces in Finance: Profitability, Barriers, and Long-Run Margins 7 minutes
SWOT to Strategy: Converting SWOT into Modeling Assumption 8 minutes
Industry Life Cycle: Growth, Maturity, Decline, and What to Forecast 8 minutes
AI for Industry Intelligence: Mining News, Filings, and Sentiment for Assumptions 7 minutes
Revenue Bridges: Volume, Price, Mix, Share, and TAM/SAM/SOM Links 9 minutes
Forecasting Costs: Operating Leverage, Productivity, and Inflation 9 minutes
Building to FCF: Taxes, Working Capital, Capex, and Internal Consistency 8 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

Welcome to the Course: Course Overview5 minutes
IMF World Economic Outlook Databases: Macro Indicators and Projections5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Industry Analysis & Forecasting20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 10 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Driver Sheet: Translating Macro Signals into 3–5 Forecast Drivers10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Micro Drivers & Unit Economics: Where Forecasts Break10 minutes

Develop robust forecasts with deterministic and stochastic methods, then evaluate projects using core capital budgeting tools and the cost of capital.

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

10 videosTotal 78 minutes

Module Introduction 2 minutes
Trend Analysis: Moving Averages, Growth Rates, and Seasonality 8 minutes
Scenario Design: Base/Upside/Downside with Triggers 7 minutes
Monte Carlo 101: Distributions, Simulations, and Interpreting Outcome Ranges 10 minutes
Net Present Value in Practice: Discounted Cash Flows and Go/No-Go Decisions 7 minutes
Internal Rate of Return Explained: Multiple IRRs, Scale Effects, and Decision Conflicts 8 minutes
Payback and Discounted Payback: Liquidity Focus Under Uncertainty 5 minutes
Cost of Debt: Yield Curves, Spreads, Ratings, and After-Tax Effects 10 minutes
Cost of Equity: CAPM, Betas, and Practical Adjustments 13 minutes
WACC That Fits: Aligning Capital Structure and Project Risk 8 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) Overview and Calculation 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Forecasting & Capital Budgeting20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 10 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Mini DCF: Scenarios → NPV at WACC → Monte Carlo (1 Driver)10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

NPV Decisions: Finance vs. Strategy Conflict10 minutes

Quantify market, credit, operational, and liquidity risks; stress the model; and deploy mitigation strategies including hedging and diversification.

What's included

11 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 67 minutes

Module Introduction 2 minutes
Value at Risk (VaR) in Practice: Historical vs Parametric and Decision Thresholds 6 minutes
Stress Scenarios: Macro and Idiosyncratic Shocks to P&L and Liquidity 7 minutes
Sensitivities that Matter: Tornado Charts and Driver Prioritization 7 minutes
Credit Risk 5 minutes
Operational Risk 6 minutes
Liquidity at Risk 8 minutes
Hedging Toolkit: Forwards, Options, Swaps, Costs and Basis Risks5 minutes
Diversification in Practice: Product, Customer, Supplier, and Allocation 9 minutes
AI-Powered RISK Scoring Models and Recommendations 9 minutes
Course Wrap-Up1 minute

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

UK Stress Testing framework and methodology: Clear Overview of Scenarios and Translation to Impacts5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Risk Analysis & Mitigation20 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 70 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Fast Risk Triage: Three-Risk One-Pager + Quick Stress + Mitigation Owners10 minutes
Project: Forecasting Under Uncertainty: A CFO’s Dilemma60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Hedging Under Stress10 minutes

Instructors

Manish Gupta

Starweaver

15 Courses67,787 learners

Offered by

Starweaver

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.