Desktop spreadsheets are inexpensive
and versatile, and millions of people work with them every day. They’re a handy way
to do ad-hoc analysis and reports, prototyping and other common tasks.
In a corporate setting, however, the disadvantages and dangers of spreadsheets
outweigh these conveniences. They are error-prone; you need only do a Web search
on “spreadsheet error” to get a feel for the pervasiveness of this problem. People
also frequently have to combine spreadsheets, a task most find arduous. And
spreadsheets are difficult to audit and clumsy to work with in collaborative, repetitive
business processes such as budgeting, sales and operational planning and
compensation management.
The extensive benchmarking research reported on here confirms some key points
about the nature and use of spreadsheets. Problems occur often when using spreadsheets in a business setting. Out-of-
date data, inadvertent errors and a proliferation of conflicting versions are
common. Four out of 10 participants said they find out-of-date information in
spreadsheets frequently or all the time. About half
of our research participants said errors in numbers and formulas are common
even in the most important spreadsheets they use. Read the executive summary to learn more about this research.
For more information on how to benchmark your organization's maturity and
competency in people, process, information and technology using our
research or how to use the Value Index, please contact sales@ventanaresearch.com.
Not sure where to start? Leverage our research to gain education on best practices and make immediate improvement:
• Download the executive summary to learn more about this research.
• Listen to the webinar to gain a better understanding of how it can help you.
• Access our full range of education and fact-based research through Ventana On-Demand.
• Determine how to improve your people, process, information and technology efforts.
• Contact us to learn how to benchmark your organization’s maturity and competency.
Members of the media who are looking for further information should contact marketing@ventanaresearch.com
