Forecast Commentary
Executive narrative on what the latest forecast says and how it has changed since prior reporting — which scenarios were considered, which was picked as "most likely" and why, what changed since last quarter, and what would push the forecast into a different scenario. Pairs with `finance.burn_rate_scenarios` (the numeric scenarios) to provide the qualitative "why" beside the quantitative "what". Common pitfall: this becomes a restatement of the numbers rather than commentary — every paragraph should add interpretation the numbers do not by themselves convey (drivers, decisions taken, decisions deferred). — Finance KPI, I'mBoard-authored (editorial tier).
I'mBoard-authored (editorial tier)
No public third-party standard anchors this KPI yet, so I'mBoard authors and maintains the definition — transparently labeled as editorial tier. See the ontology methodology for the published vs editorial tier system and the back-attribution workstream.
Rogue ID: finance.forecast_notes
Type: Text
Domain: Finance
Definition
Executive narrative on what the latest forecast says and how it has changed since prior reporting — which scenarios were considered, which was picked as "most likely" and why, what changed since last quarter, and what would push the forecast into a different scenario. Pairs with finance.burn_rate_scenarios (the numeric scenarios) to provide the qualitative "why" beside the quantitative "what". Common pitfall: this becomes a restatement of the numbers rather than commentary — every paragraph should add interpretation the numbers do not by themselves convey (drivers, decisions taken, decisions deferred).
Formula
No calculation — narrative commentary. Convention: cover (1) selected scenario and rationale, (2) deltas vs. prior forecast with reasons, (3) trigger conditions that would move the forecast.Why it matters
Gives the board the interpretation layer that raw scenario numbers lack — without it, the burn-rate-scenarios table is data without meaning. Disciplined commentary also creates a record of management's rationale that can be re-examined when reality plays out.
How to interpret
Compare commentary across periods — if the rationale shifts without the underlying numbers shifting, the team is rationalizing rather than analyzing. If numbers shift without the rationale acknowledging it, controls maturity is the concern. Length is not a quality signal; concrete drivers and named triggers are.
Related KPIs
finance.assumptionsfinance.burn_rate_scenariosfinance.burn_rate_actualfinance.risk_factors
Source
I'mBoard editorial — authored and maintained by I'mBoard, first published 2026-04-01. No third-party standard is cited for this KPI; when one emerges, the definition is back-attributed and promoted to the published tier (a minor version bump). Read the ontology methodology for the published vs editorial tier system, attribution rules, and dispute process.
Stage relevance
| Company stage | Priority |
|---|---|
| Pre-Seed | Recommended |
| Seed | Recommended |
| Series A | Core |
| Series B | Core |
| Series C+ | Core |
| Public | Recommended |
Suggested for stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C+, Public.
Default owning functions
- Finance
Machine-readable
- This KPI as JSON:
/api/ontology/finance/forecast_notes.json - All Finance KPIs:
/api/ontology/finance.json - Full catalog:
/api/ontology/index.json
Events / Conferences
Cost of conferences, booths, sponsorships, and event-linked travel for the period. Often lumpy quarter to quarter around event calendars. — Finance KPI, I'mBoard-authored (editorial tier).
FX Gain / Loss
Foreign-exchange gain (positive) or loss (negative) for the period from revaluing non-functional-currency balances and transactions. A SIGNED line; relevant for companies holding cash or transacting in multiple currencies. — Finance KPI, I'mBoard-authored (editorial tier).