Hitting the wall: errors in developing and code inspecting a `simple' spreadsheet model

Panko, Raymond R.; Sprague, Ralph H.

doi:10.1016/s0167-9236(97)00038-9

Cited by 63 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…First, undergraduate students with little 'real' experience of spreadsheet development were used. However, in a previous study by Panko & Sprague's (1998) there was no difference between the performance of undergraduate students and more experienced MBA students in terms of the number and type of errors made.…”

Section: Study Limitations and Further Researchmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…Others, for example Edge & Wilson (1990) and Simian (1987), have developed rules and procedures that should be followed to ensure the accuracy, consistency and completeness of spreadsheet models. Despite experimental studies that have shown that spreadsheet errors are difficult for people to detect and correct (Galletta, Hartzel, Johnson, Joseph, & Rustagi, 1996;Panko & Sprague, 1998) it is generally recognised that spreadsheets should be audited and tested using a formal process (Berglas & Hoare, 1999;Whittaker, 1999). An audit of a complex set of spreadsheet-based models developed by the Australian Department of Immigration to examine the effect of immigration on the government's budget revealed over 250 problems and issues which were corrected before the model was used (-, 1999).…”

Section: Spreadsheetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One measure of the quality of a spreadsheet is to determine the number and type of errors present (Brown & Gould, 1987;Galletta et al, 1996;Panko & Halverson, 1994;Panko & Sprague, 1998;Teo & Tan, 1999). Cragg, Grant, & King (1991) developed a simple classification of error types found in spreadsheet models.…”

Section: Spreadsheet Errorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tens of millions of spreadsheet models are created and used each year. However, both survey and experimental investigations have found that a significant proportion of spreadsheet models contain serious errors (Brown & Gould, 1987;Edge & Wilson, 1990;Hall, 1996;Hayen & Peters, 1989;Panko & Halverson, 1994;Panko & Sprague, 1998;Simkin, 1987;Teo & Tan, 1999). Cragg & King (1993) state that empirical data suggests that 25% of all spreadsheets used in business contain some kind of flaw or bug.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Use of Influence Diagrams in the Design of Spreadsheet Models: an experimental study

O’Donnell¹

2001

AJIS

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The spreadsheet is one of the most commonly used personal computer applications. Many studies have shown that a very high percentage of spreadsheet models contain serious errors. The use of influence diagrams, which are a visual representation of the relationships among the variables in a problem, to plan the development of a spreadsheet model may reduce the likelihood of the spreadsheet model containing an error. This paper describes an experimental study that tests whether the use of influence diagrams improves spreadsheet modelling practice. The results of the study suggests that influence diagrams do help users to better understand problems, and as a result reduce the likelihood of omitting important variables from spreadsheet models.

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Section: Study Limitations and Further Researchmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Spreadsheetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Spreadsheet Errorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Use of Influence Diagrams in the Design of Spreadsheet Models: an experimental study

O’Donnell¹

2001

AJIS

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“…Focusing supporting users in their use of spreadsheet and often encouraging a more disciplined or rigours approach to development and use (including automated assessment of quality features), (Burnett et al Burnett 2002, Hendry and Green 1994, Hermans and Dig 2014, Panko and Sprague 1998, Sajaniemi 2000.…”

Section: Why Spreadsheets?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualising Formula Structures to Support Exploratory Modelling

Roast

Leitão

Gunning

2016

Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computer Supported Education

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Abstract:Visualisation is often presented as a means of simplifying information and helping people understand complex data. In this paper we describe a project designing interactive visualisations to support core learner competencies in the broad area of numeracy. The work builds upon: (i) the observation that while spreadsheets are traditional ICT tools, their widespread use means that they are often introduced as a means of exploring basic mathematical modelling; (ii) a research theme examining the human factors that influence the ease with which formal notations can be understood and applied appropriately. Our paper describes the iterative design and evaluation of a tool to visualise spreadsheets, with the aim of supporting mid-teen learners based on the premise that spreadsheets serve as a gateway tool for supporting learner experimentation and confidence within numerate subjects. This iterative process is informed by background research into notational design, graphic design as well as learner and tutor feedback.

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Overcoming Spreadsheet Risk in Supply Chain Modeling

Galbreth

LeBlanc

2010

J of Business Logistics

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Spreadsheet optimization modeling plays an important role in the management of today's sophisticated supply chains. However, despite the advantages of spreadsheets (or in some cases because of these advantages) there are significant risks associated with spreadsheet models. Spreadsheet risk is defined as the chance of adverse operational or financial consequences due to erroneous creation, maintenance, and/or use of spreadsheet models. Such errors arise because the intrinsic complexity of optimization models is beyond the expertise of many non‐technical managers. In this article we discuss procedures that we developed for managing the substantial risks associated with the use of spreadsheets for supply chain optimization. The issues we address go far beyond simple data entry mistakes, which are possible in virtually every aspect of business and can never be completely eliminated.

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Hitting the wall: errors in developing and code inspecting a `simple' spreadsheet model

Cited by 63 publications

References 29 publications

The Use of Influence Diagrams in the Design of Spreadsheet Models: an experimental study

The Use of Influence Diagrams in the Design of Spreadsheet Models: an experimental study

Visualising Formula Structures to Support Exploratory Modelling

Overcoming Spreadsheet Risk in Supply Chain Modeling

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