Changing User Attitudes to Reduce Spreadsheet Risk

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that implementing three simple guidelines—making spreadsheets easy to check, safe to use, and separating business logic—can positively change user attitudes and enhance spreadsheet quality in a financial organization.

Contribution

It introduces a practical approach with three guidelines that effectively improve user attitudes and spreadsheet quality, supported by a real-world case study.

Findings

User attitudes improved after guideline implementation

Spreadsheet quality increased in the case study

Guidelines are practical for organizational use

Abstract

A business case study on how three simple guidelines: 1. Make it easy to check (and maintain) 2. Make it safe to use 3. Keep business logic out of code changed user attitudes and improved spreadsheet quality in a financial services organisation.