Bottleneck Capacity and Contribution Excel Dashboard
FINANCIAL MODELS LAB
Bottleneck priority / margin per hour and demand caps
Use the populated dashboard to read the result, investigate its components and explore the stated decision assumptions. The workbook keeps the source figures and calculation steps available so another reviewer can trace the same selection.
See the illustrative example
Month: Oct 2026, Unit: Press cell. The workbook opens with calculated sample figures and working financial charts. Each displayed amount belongs to its labelled selection and unit of measure.
Explore the financial questions
Shown on the main dashboard as a table using $/hour, Hours used, Unmet units.
Shown on the main dashboard as a line using Contribution change.
Shown on the main dashboard as a pie using Amount.
Move between the decision views
The analytical views include Dashboard, Capacity frontier, Decision register. Start with the overview, then use the relevant driver, register or scenario view to explain a difference. Keep the reporting context consistent when comparing an amount with its source or another operating unit.
How to adapt the dashboard
Start with the short How to worksheet, which identifies the inputs, selectors and result views for this dashboard. Keep an unchanged copy of the sample before replacing its data. Enter your source values in the highlighted cells, review one reporting selection and reconcile a headline amount to your records. Change a material driver and check the result in its labelled unit. A decision assumption describes a modelled case; it does not replace the observed source figures.
Understand the calculation basis
Allocate capacity to positive contribution per hour in descending order until demand is satisfied. Ties go to A. Fractional production is allowed. The charge applies to all purchased hours, including any left idle.
For a team review, record the selected period, operating unit, source of the inputs and the case assumptions alongside the conclusion. This context helps a colleague reproduce the result and distinguish a change in the business from a change in the modelling assumptions. The included sample is illustrative rather than company reporting.