Education scenario: Agile budget management
Available with: Microsoft 365 Copilot Scenario level:
KPIs impacted
Operational efficiency
Value benefit
Reduced costs
Time savings
Using Copilot for agile budget management
1. Data preparation
Use Copilot to support agile budget management and maintain flexibility in a dynamic educational environment.
Business Chat2
Benefit: Save time by using Copilot to identify relevant data sources, historical spend data, economic trends, and financial records (e.g., fund balances) quickly and accurately.
2. Scenario modeling
Examine historical data, economic indicators, and current needs to predict potential revenue streams and expenses (e.g., key financial metrics such as allocations, expenditures, and available funds).
Copilot in Excel
Benefit: Let Copilot build multiple budget models, ‘What if scenarios’ for funding that factor in fixed costs, variable costs, and potential funding fluctuations.
3. Iterative scenario refinement
Ensure continuous adjustments to the budget models, reflecting the most recent financial figures and areas for cost optimization.
Copilot in Excel
Benefit: Refine scenarios quickly and easily using the latest information on revised spending plans, funding requests, and budget shortfalls.
4. Collaborative communication
Evaluate budget scenarios with a larger group such as school boards and department heads to discuss monthly budget needs.
Copilot in Teams
Benefit: Quickly and accurately summarize key discussion points, decisions, and updated data for alignment.
5. Transparent appraisal
Socialize the most appropriate budget plans with metrics such as budget variance, funding utilization rate, and allocation efficiency, to promote active refinement and transparency.
Copilot in PowerPoint
Benefit: Apply branding guidelines, adjust layouts, and reformat text and create customized visuals for leadership presentations using Copilot.
1Access Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com or the Microsoft Copilot mobile app and set toggle to “Web”.
2Access Business Chat at copilot.microsoft.com or the Microsoft Copilot mobile app and set toggle to “Web”.
3Copilot agents allow Microsoft 365 Copilot to access your organization-specific apps. In the past, this would have required an API call to get data from a system of record. The content in this example scenario is for demonstration purposes only. You should evaluate how Copilot aligns with your organization’s business processes, regulatory requirements, and responsible AI principles.
The content in this example scenario is for demonstration purposes only. You should evaluate how Copilot aligns with your organization’s business processes, regulatory requirements, and responsible AI principles.
