How would you build a simple spreadsheet to track a small team's monthly spending against its budget?

What the interviewer is looking for

• This question tests excel & data tools. Names specific functions, pivot tables, lookups, planning software, queries or dashboards they used and what time or accuracy they gained.
• Strong answers: Separates inputs from calculations, uses consistent layout, variance in amount and percent, lookups or pivots, and simple flags or charts for the reader.
• Likely follow-up: How would you make it easy to update when next month's actuals arrive?

Another way it may be asked: Say a manager hands you twelve months of budget and actual spend. How would you lay out a sheet to show where they are over or under?

A structure to follow: Frame, structure, analyse, recommend

1. Step 1

   Frame

   Restate the goal and ask what success is and what the constraints are.

2. Step 2

   Structure

   Split the problem into a few separate parts you can check one by one, and say what you will look at first and why.

3. Step 3

   Analyse

   Reason with the information you have, state your assumptions out loud, and say what data would change your mind.

4. Step 4

   Recommend

   Give a clear recommendation, the main risk, and the first step you would take.

This is guidance on shape, not a script. Use your own real experience and facts; never invent details to fill a gap. See the STAR guide and answer frameworks.

Common slips

• Listing ideas without choosing between them.
• Hiding assumptions instead of stating them.
• Finishing without a recommendation.

How to practise it

Answer in four spoken parts, one per step, then check you ended on a recommendation.

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