Authors
Kamalasen Rajalingham, David Chadwick, & Brian Knight
Abstract
This paper describes an approach to the provision of a Structured Spreadsheet Engineering Methodology. The proposed methodology is mainly based on the classical systems development life cycle, structured methods and software engineering principles. It addresses the widespread problem of spreadsheet errors and is an extension to published work by Chadwick-97, Rajalingham-98, Rajalingham-99, Rajalingham-99a, Rajalingham-00, Rajalingham-00a, Rajalingham-00b and Rajalingham-01. This methodology also helps in training users in the process of spreadsheet building.
Although there are variations of the life cycle for systems development, they are fundamentally similar to each other. The proposed Structured Spreadsheet Engineering Methodology is primarily based on the systems development life cycle described by Aktas-85, Jackson structures (Jackson-75) and approaches recommended by other authors. Numerous approaches are incorporated into this framework, making it a highly integrated and structured methodology for spreadsheet design and development.
Apart from the concepts and principles borrowed from the above methods, the methodology also contains new developments in the research into integrity control of spreadsheet models.
Sample
The Calculation Checker enables the user to view the contents, potential error and precedents of a formula cell.
If a 'calculation check' is done on cell H10 and the 'Show Precedents' option is subsequently selected, the precedents of cell H10 are displayed.
Publication
2002, Informatica, Volume 26, Number 2, pages 181–189
Full article
Efficient methods for checking integrity
Also see
Efficient Methods for Checking Integrity: An Integrated Spreadsheet Engineering Methodology (ISEM)
