Moving Beyond the Spreadsheet: Unlocking the Latest Technologies to Drive Performance-Based Management
In 2004, the historical records of a US governor’s entire tenure in office were lost due to a simple spreadsheet error. That year, the records of former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson were supposed to be sent to the Wisconsin Historical Society for preservation. Instead, the records were sent to a local paper mill and promptly shredded. The resulting investigation concluded that an employee had incorrectly adjusted a spreadsheet listing records that could be destroyed and records that should be retained.

Over the past 30 years, organizations have seen momentous change, including a drive towards performance-based management and the adoption of sophisticated reporting tools designed to help manage performance and demonstrate results to citizens. Increased scrutiny from the media, volatile shifts in operating environments and an epidemic of budget shortfalls have all left very little “1970s technology” in place.

Except for the (still) prominent use of Excel spreadsheets. In spite of more recent technological advancements, the same spreadsheet technology of 1978 remains the ... (more)

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