Community Design Agency x The Pipal Collective
Community Design Agency x The Pipal Collective
Bringing business clarity to a purpose-driven design practice
Bringing business clarity to a purpose-driven design practice
Business Modelling
The Brief
The Brief
Community Design Agency (CDA) is a Mumbai-based design studio committed to building spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and community-first. Their work sits at the intersection of architecture, social impact, and design justice with projects ranging from affordable housing to public space transformation.
As CDA looked to the future, they reached out to us with a specific need: help them build a financial projection model that could act as a decision-making tool for their leadership team.
Community Design Agency (CDA) is a Mumbai-based design studio committed to building spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and community-first. Their work sits at the intersection of architecture, social impact, and design justice with projects ranging from affordable housing to public space transformation.
As CDA looked to the future, they reached out to us with a specific need: help them build a financial projection model that could act as a decision-making tool for their leadership team.
The Challenge
The Challenge
Unlike most of our projects, this one wasn’t about branding or content, it was about business modelling.
The ask was to build a detailed, five-year projection model that could:
Forecast project-based revenue
Account for variations in headcount and project timelines
Map fixed and variable costs
Generate ROI estimates for new verticals or initiatives
This wasn’t just a spreadsheet. It was a framework that needed to be dynamic, expandable, and intuitive enough for future use even beyond this specific phase.
Unlike most of our projects, this one wasn’t about branding or content, it was about business modelling.
The ask was to build a detailed, five-year projection model that could:
Forecast project-based revenue
Account for variations in headcount and project timelines
Map fixed and variable costs
Generate ROI estimates for new verticals or initiatives
This wasn’t just a spreadsheet. It was a framework that needed to be dynamic, expandable, and intuitive enough for future use even beyond this specific phase.
The Approach
The Approach
We partnered closely with the Partnerships Lead at CDA, working in a hybrid rhythm of collaborative working sessions and async iterations.
Here’s how we tackled it:
From Scratch, Not a Template
We didn’t just plug numbers into a pre-built model. We started from first principles understanding how CDA runs projects, bills clients, hires talent, and forecasts work. Every formula and tab was custom-built to match how the team actually operates.Multi-Year, Multi-Scenario Ready
The model was structured to allow:Expansion across multiple years
Project-level granularity
Variable inputs for staffing, cost, overheads, and margins
ROI forecasts for up to five years
Simplicity in Complexity
While the backend formulas were layered and complex, the frontend interface was clean and user-friendly. CDA’s team can now tweak assumptions, run scenarios, and make data-led decisions without diving deep into formula chains.Documentation for Handover
We ensured the model came with built-in cues, comments, and tabs that made it easy to pass on to team members or collaborators down the line.
We partnered closely with the Partnerships Lead at CDA, working in a hybrid rhythm of collaborative working sessions and async iterations.
Here’s how we tackled it:
From Scratch, Not a Template
We didn’t just plug numbers into a pre-built model. We started from first principles understanding how CDA runs projects, bills clients, hires talent, and forecasts work. Every formula and tab was custom-built to match how the team actually operates.Multi-Year, Multi-Scenario Ready
The model was structured to allow:Expansion across multiple years
Project-level granularity
Variable inputs for staffing, cost, overheads, and margins
ROI forecasts for up to five years
Simplicity in Complexity
While the backend formulas were layered and complex, the frontend interface was clean and user-friendly. CDA’s team can now tweak assumptions, run scenarios, and make data-led decisions without diving deep into formula chains.Documentation for Handover
We ensured the model came with built-in cues, comments, and tabs that made it easy to pass on to team members or collaborators down the line.
The Outcome
The Outcome
CDA now has a clear and reliable projection model, one that aligns with their business reality and gives them strategic visibility into their future.
It helps the founders plan with more confidence, assess the viability of new initiatives, and forecast growth without second-guessing financial implications.
For a creative practice grounded in purpose, this layer of business clarity adds structure without compromising values.
CDA now has a clear and reliable projection model, one that aligns with their business reality and gives them strategic visibility into their future.
It helps the founders plan with more confidence, assess the viability of new initiatives, and forecast growth without second-guessing financial implications.
For a creative practice grounded in purpose, this layer of business clarity adds structure without compromising values.
What’s Next?
What’s Next?
For now, the model is live and in use and we’re glad to have helped. We’re still connected with the CDA team and look forward to collaborating again as new tracks open up. This project shows our ability to support brands not just in marketing, but also in the hard business layers that sit beneath it from models to margins.
For now, the model is live and in use and we’re glad to have helped. We’re still connected with the CDA team and look forward to collaborating again as new tracks open up. This project shows our ability to support brands not just in marketing, but also in the hard business layers that sit beneath it from models to margins.
Let's bring your vision to life.
© Priyanshi Poddar 2024
Let's bring your vision to life.
© Priyanshi Poddar 2024
Let's bring your vision to life.
© Priyanshi Poddar 2024