You get an email at 3 PM: your CEO wants growth assumptions adjusted “by tomorrow.”
In a spreadsheet, that means hours of recalculating, hunting down actuals, and hoping no one breaks the model before the meeting.
In Runway, it takes seconds.
See how Superhuman boosted FP&A efficiency by 50x–100x using Runway’s workflows.
Why static planning breaks
Most models were built for reporting the past — not simulating the future.
They break when:
- Formulas link across a dozen fragile spreadsheet tabs
- Inputs have to be pulled manually from ERPs, CRMs, and HRISs
- Scenarios live in hidden sheets, with no clear context
- You spend more time fixing errors than asking “what if?”
That’s how planning turns into a process of maintenance.
What Runway does differently
Runway treats your financial model like a simulation, not a static spreadsheet. You can tweak assumptions, test futures, and see the downstream effects in real time — just like you’d adjust a setting in a video game, and watch the system respond.
Here’s how it works:
- Define assumptions — like growth, pricing, churn, or hiring — and link them directly to your model.
- Branch unlimited scenarios — “Base,” “Upside,” “Downside,” even weird edge cases — all versioned and saved.
- Compare outcomes instantly — across runway, burn, headcount, margins, and revenue.
Everything updates in real time — no lag, no formula fiddling, no broken links.
Why it matters
1. From reactive to proactive planning
Most finance teams operate in hindsight. Scenario planning gives you foresight.
With Runway, you can:
- Model a 10% drop in growth and immediately see its effect on cash.
- Add a hiring plan and understand how it changes cash, breakeven, and margins.
- Adjust pricing and test the trade-offs between conversion and LTV.
Instead of debating whether a number is right, you explore what’s possible — and decide what’s worth pursuing.
2. The numbers come with a story
Runway does something spreadsheets can’t:
It shows you:
- Who changed what, and when
- What assumption drove that change
- Why it happened — in their own words
So every scenario comes with memory, narrative, and accountability.
It’s not just a number; it’s a conversation captured in real time.
Why Runway’s scenario planning is different
- Real time calculations — So teams can iterate quickly, without breaking flow.
- Unlimited branching — No need to consolidate, or clean up versions manually.
- Shared, collaborative space — Everyone works from the same logic; no silos.
- Side-by-side comparisons — Makes trade-offs easy to understand and explain.
- Contextual audit trail — Everything is documented — assumptions, edits, approvals.
Planning in Runway feels less like reporting, and more like experimenting. And that changes how teams show up in the room.
How to get the most out of it
- Start with your top 2–3 drivers. Don't overcomplicate it — focus on what moves the needle.
- Tie each scenario to a real question. “What happens if we delay hiring?” “Can we afford to test pricing changes?”
- Make planning collaborative. Use Runway’s workflows to run scenario reviews with cross-functional teams.
- Use scenario outputs in real decisions. Add them to board decks, investor updates, and strategy reviews.
When planning becomes more transparent, it becomes more trusted.
Getting started with Runway
Runway includes:
- Built-in templates for calculating MRR, modeling 3 statements, and more
- In-app documentation for quick setup
- Live support to help you map scenarios to your specific business rhythms
What really changes
When scenario planning is fast and shared:
- Finance stops chasing updates
- Founders stop asking “is this number right?”
- Teams stop waiting to be told what’s possible
They see it — together, and in real time.
That’s how you move from defending a plan to actually shaping one. And from making “safe” choices to confidently testing bold ones. Because when your model works like a simulation, planning becomes a way to think about the future.
Book a demo to see Runway in action.