Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2009 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1.3, University of Applied Sciences Berlin, course: Financial Management, language: English, abstract: Based on a practical example the role of financial planning is analyzed. In a first step the financial situation of KLA-Tencor Corporation was reviewed using public available data of last year’s financial statements and press releases. In a second step the data was discussed in comparison to industry peers and financial ratios were calculated. Long term financial planning approaches were reviewed and planning models were discussed. In a last step a “percentage of sales” model was applied to developa potential scenario for KLA-Tencor Corp. over the next 4 years until 2012 based on forecasts of market research institutes. The assignment ends with potential conclusions how KLA-Tencor coulduse its financial strength for a rapid growth over the next years.