Maiden Post

This blog is designed to help the Enterprise Modeler in Excel.  I'm going to focus it not on how to write certain functions, or what functions to use, though it will address that from time to time.  Instead the goal is to discuss how to build a model so that it is robust, efficient, intuitive and flexible.

To start with here are my current 6 items that are essential to makeing a good Excel model

1.       Model consists of four types of tabs:  Data, Input, Calculations, Reports.

2.       Calculation tabs are not for reporting and Report tabs are not for calculating.

3.       Formulas should not have any constants

4.       The ISERROR function should never be used.

5.       Data inputs are easily ‘created’ from existing sources. 

6.       Source of data inputs are themselves treated as data so the current version of actuals/projections is not lost in the immense amount of data and analysis that’s done.

four additional items are:

7.  .  Input Data – feed calculations from one tab, not imbedded in calculations, or spread throughout calculations.

8.  Reports all fed from same set of calculations, so that they are consistent with each other.

9.  Allow Multiple sets of data inputs to check for accuracy of each.

10. Actual to Forecast continuity is important as it allows you to check for forecast viability

Future posts will address each one individually.