Advanced Use Cases

(Experimental) Scenario Planning and Decision Simulation

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Prepare for uncertainty by modeling alternative futures using live operational data.

1. The Business Challenge

Modern enterprises operate in an environment defined by uncertainty and rapid change — economic volatility, regulatory shifts, supply chain disruptions, and emerging technologies constantly alter priorities.

Yet most organizations still make decisions based on:

  • Static PowerPoint scenarios and spreadsheets disconnected from real work.
  • Delayed information updates that don’t reflect current progress or constraints.
  • No clear visibility into how one decision impacts others across departments.
  • Fragmented planning between strategy, finance, and operations.

The result: slow reactions, poor risk visibility, and decisions based more on assumptions than on live data.

2. How KanBo Solves It

KanBo brings scenario planning and simulation into the daily management layer — where work, data, and accountability already exist.
Instead of abstract models, KanBo enables leaders to create parallel versions of reality using live operational Spaces and Cards.

Each scenario is a structured, data-driven environment that reflects how the organization might operate under different assumptions, resources, or external conditions.

Scenario ElementKanBo ObjectExample
Strategic DomainWorkspace“Investment Planning 2026”
Scenario VersionSpace“Baseline”, “Accelerated Expansion”, “Regulated Slowdown”
Initiative / ProjectCard“Supplier Diversification Plan”, “New Market Entry – LATAM”, “Energy Contract Renegotiation”
Key VariablesCard Fields / RelationsDuration, Cost, Risk Level, Dependencies

By duplicating or cloning Spaces, KanBo allows you to experiment with strategic configurations — all grounded in actual resource data, project dependencies, and progress.

3. KanBo’s Unique Value (USP)

KanBo differentiates itself by combining strategic foresight with operational reality — allowing organizations to simulate decisions within their real-world context.

Core Differentiators

  1. Live Scenario Modelling
    Every simulation uses real data from ongoing work — no disconnected models.
  2. Parallel Structures
    Duplicate existing Spaces or entire Workspaces to model alternate assumptions (e.g., different budgets, schedules, or supplier networks).
  3. Integrated Resource Awareness
    Scenarios automatically reflect workload, capacity, and availability constraints from the resource module.
  4. Built-In Forecasting and Visualization
    Forecast and Gantt Views enable scenario comparisons across multiple time horizons.
  5. Decision Traceability
    Each scenario, assumption, and outcome is documented within KanBo’s Activity Stream — providing a full audit trail.
  6. Data Sovereignty and Security
    All scenarios are built and stored within the customer’s own infrastructure — no external data hosting or exposure.

KanBo transforms “what-if” discussions into data-backed, executable strategy options.

4. Example: Investment Strategy Simulation in Energy Sector

Scenario: A multinational energy company evaluating investment paths under different regulatory and market conditions.

Objective:
Compare the operational and financial impact of three strategic paths for 2026–2028.

Step 1 – Define the Planning Environment

  • Workspace: Investment Planning – Energy Sector
  • Spaces (Scenarios):
    • Baseline Model – Current regulatory assumptions.
    • Accelerated Renewable Expansion – Incentive-driven investment plan.
    • Regulated Slowdown – Lower investment pace due to tariff increases.

Step 2 – Create Scenario Cards

Each Space includes Cards representing major initiatives:

  • “Supplier Reassessment – Tier 1 North America”
  • “Alternative Sourcing – Valve Components (Asia)”
  • “Logistics Adjustment Plan – EU Carbon Tax Compliance”
  • “Budget Reallocation Proposal – Impacted Projects Q1 2026”

Each Card includes:

  • Estimated effort, cost, and timeline.
  • Linked resources (people, machines).
  • Dependencies with other Cards or Spaces.

Step 3 – Adjust Assumptions

In Accelerated Expansion, increase renewable investment by 25%.
In Regulated Slowdown, extend project durations by 20% and reduce workforce allocations by 15%.
All dependent Cards automatically update forecasts and workloads.

Step 4 – Visualize and Compare

  • Gantt View shows timeline differences between scenarios.
  • Forecast Charts reveal expected delivery shifts.
  • Workload View displays resource pressure points.
  • Custom Fields show total budget requirements per scenario.

Step 5 – Decision and Execution

Executives select the most balanced scenario and convert it into the official “Execution Space.”
Because the scenario is already a functioning KanBo Space, execution begins immediately — no data migration needed.

5. Metrics and Insights

MetricDescriptionDerived From
Scenario Cost ComparisonAggregate budget fields across SpacesCard Metadata
Timeline VarianceAverage difference in project durations between scenariosGantt Data
Resource Utilization DeltaDifference in workload between baseline and alternative modelsWorkload View
Risk Exposure IndexWeighted count of Cards flagged as “At Risk”Status and Relations
Forecast ImpactDeviation between projected and actual completion datesForecast Chart

These metrics enable quantitative scenario evaluation, supporting Space-level decision-making.

6. Organizational Benefits

Business ChallengeKanBo Solution
Static scenario planning in spreadsheetsLive, connected simulations inside KanBo
No link between planning and executionScenarios built directly on operational data
Resource conflicts across projectsWorkload-aware simulation engine
Time-consuming re-planningFast cloning and modification of Spaces
Lack of traceability for decisionsComplete change and assumption history

KanBo enables leadership teams to see before they decide — replacing assumptions with evidence.

7. Practical Setup Guide

Step-by-Step Implementation

  1. Create a Planning Workspace
    Example: Strategic Scenarios 2026.
    Assign ownership to Strategy Office or PMO.
  2. Add Scenario Spaces
    Each Space represents a different plan version (e.g., Optimistic, Baseline, Conservative).
  3. Duplicate Key Cards or Spaces
    Use the “Copy Space” or “Duplicate Card” functions to build comparable structures.
  4. Adjust Variables and Dependencies
    Modify durations, costs, or allocations based on scenario assumptions.
  5. Enable Views
    • Gantt View for scheduling.
    • Forecast Chart for predictive completion.
    • Workload View for resource utilization.
  6. Compare and Decide
    Use Filters and Charts to evaluate which scenario offers best balance between cost, risk, and feasibility.
  7. Activate Selected Scenario
    Change its status from “Simulation” to “Execution” and begin operational rollout — instantly connected to resource tracking and governance.

8. Why Business Leaders Choose KanBo for Scenario Planning

  1. Real Data, Not Models: Plans are grounded in live execution data.
  2. Speed and Agility: Create and adjust scenarios in minutes, not weeks.
  3. Visibility and Control: Instantly see how decisions affect timelines, budgets, and capacity.
  4. Zero Data Leakage: Every scenario stays within your infrastructure — no exposure to external tools.
  5. Smooth Transition: From simulation to execution without rework.
  6. Collaborative Governance: Strategy, finance, and operations work in the same shared environment.

KanBo gives decision-makers the ability to simulate, compare, and act within one connected system.

9. Example Workspace Snapshot (Conceptual)

LevelExampleResponsible
WorkspaceInvestment Planning – Energy SectorVP Strategic Operations
Space (Scenario)Accelerated Renewable ExpansionProgram Director
CardBudget Reallocation – Wind InfrastructureFinance Lead
Linked Resources10 Engineers, 3 AnalystsAllocation via Resource Picker

All elements — data, resources, dependencies — mirror real execution, allowing for immediate transition once a scenario is approved.

10. Summary

KanBo turns scenario planning into a living capability — combining foresight with operational reality.
Instead of analyzing theoretical plans, leaders use KanBo to simulate and execute strategies grounded in real-time organizational data.

With KanBo, strategic choices are no longer guesses — they’re rehearsed realities.