Spreadsheet Models for Managers


Getting Access to Spreadsheet Models for Managers


If Spreadsheet Models for Managersyou use Excel to model businesses, business processes, or business transactions, this course will change your life. You’ll learn how to create tools for yourself that will amaze even you. Unrestricted use of this material is available in two ways.

As a stand-alone Web site
It resides on your computer, and you can use it anywhere. No need for Internet access.
At this Web site
If you have access to the Internet whenever you want to view this material, you can purchase on-line access. Unlimited usage. I’m constantly making improvements and you’ll get them as soon as they’re available.

To Order On Line

Order "Spreadsheet Models for Managers, on-line edition, one month" by credit card, for USD 69.95 each, using our secure server, and receive download instructions by return email.
Order "Spreadsheet Models for Managers, on-line edition, three months" by credit card, for USD 199.00 each, using our secure server, and receive download instructions by return email.
Order "Spreadsheet Models for Managers, downloadable hyperbook edition" by credit card, for USD 199.00 each, using our secure server, and receive download instructions by return email.

To Order by Mail

Make your check payable to Chaco Canyon Consulting, for the amount indicated:
  • For the download: USD 199.00
  • For access online for three months: USD 199.00
  • For access online for one month: USD 69.95
And send it to:
Chaco Canyon Consulting
700 Huron Avenue, Suite 19C
Cambridge, MA 02138

To use the course software you’ll need some other applications, which you very probably already have. By placing your order, you’re confirming that you have the software you need, as described on this site.

Spreadsheet Models for Managers

Managing spreadsheet modeling projects 7/2
Session Links
  • Using spreadsheet models on an enterprise scale raises subtle issues:
    • Models must be reliable because a lot is at stake
    • The enterprise must avoid dependence on specific authors of the models
    • Costs of models scale up faster than their complexity or fidelity
    • The enterprise must be a learning organization when it comes to modeling
    • Resources and time required for model enhancement must be predictable
  • These are the same issues that plague all software systems
  • Software engineers have created a set of key process areas to frame the way they deal with these problems
  • You might want to use some of them in your course projects
  • We will look in detail at one of them: Reviews/Inspections

When we build spreadsheet models, we’re actually engaged in software development, though we rarely recognize it as such. In addition to the problems associated with the model itself, we run into all the problems software engineers run into. Probably the two most common problem areas are keeping track of different versions of things, and avoiding simple mistakes. In this session we’ll focus on detecting and preventing mistakes, and we’ll show you one approach — the technical review or inspection.

Although all of this applies to large modeling projects, it also applies to tool development. (Read about the distinction between models and tools.) Tools are software too, so we can benefit from the experience of the software engineers when we try to build spreadsheet tools for financial management and reporting efforts, such as budgeting and cost tracking.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Apr-2016 04:15:26 EDT

Inspect Your Project Early

Many believe that the main benefit of spreadsheet inspections is that they locate issues so they can be fixed. Certainly they do accomplish that. But spreadsheet inspections, when performed early enough and often enough, can actually prevent problems. And preventing problems is certainly more valuable than locating them.

We hope that you’ll apply what you learn about spreadsheet inspections when you work on your projects. If you’re working in a team, review your project schedule and decide when would be advantageous times to insert an inspection or two. If you’re working alone, ask someone else who’s working alone if they would be willing to inspect your project in exchange for your inspecting theirs.

Since we don’t grade on a curve, helping someone else doesn’t hurt you. Inspection exchanges raise the quality of both projects — and both grades. Whatever you do, don’t wait until the end to do your inspections.