Working with dataEvery number has a source. How do you read a result in context?
Definitions, periods and assumptions help distinguish a reported result from its meaning for the business.
Start with the definition
Two reports can show different results while both use correct data. Different periods, cost scopes or recognition dates can explain the difference. A metric therefore needs a definition, not just a name.
Establish where the data comes from and when it was updated. If information is incomplete, make that visible beside the result rather than leaving the reader to guess.
Separate the result from its explanation
A calculation and its interpretation are different things. Check the components first, then the comparison with plan, and only then investigate possible causes. A hypothesis should be clearly distinguished from a confirmed fact.
Keep filters consistent when moving from an overview to the details. Otherwise, it is easy to compare values that describe different parts of the business.
Record decision assumptions
Keep the reporting period, sources and assumptions alongside the decision. A later data refresh should not erase the context of an earlier discussion.
ImCFO connects the financial view with decision context. The aim is to move from a question about a result to the data and assumptions behind it.
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