A quality model for spreadsheets

In this paper we present a quality model for spreadsheets, based on the ISO/IEC 9126 standard that defines a generic quality model for software. To each of the software characteristics defined in the ISO/IEC 9126, we associate an equivalent spreadsheet characteristic. Then, we propose a set of spreadsheet specific metrics to assess the quality of a spreadsheet in each of the defined characteristics. In order to obtain the normal distribution of expected values for a spreadsheet in each of the metrics that we propose, we have executed them against all spreadsheets in the large and widely used EUSES spreadsheet corpus. Then, we quantify each characteristic of our quality model after computing the values of our metrics, and we define quality scores for the different ranges of values. Finally, to automate the atribution of a quality score to a given spreadsheet, according to our quality model, we have integrated the computation of the metrics it includes in both a batch and a web-based tool.(undefined

Cognitive Logical Reasoning Skill and the Relationship to Spreadsheet Data Quality

Electronic spreadsheets have made a major contribution to financial analysis and problem solving. Spreadsheets were the first software packages produced for serious business use, and their introduction marked a new era of end-user orientation of computers (Chan 1987). Spreadsheets are used extensively today in accounting and business applications. Although many decisions are based on the analysis of a spreadsheet model, it has been documented that there are often data quality problems, i.e. underlying formulas and resulting numbers are frequently wrong. A growing body of evidence indicates that these errors in spreadsheets are a pervasive problem

Complexity metrics for classSheet models

Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume 7972, 2013.This paper proposes a set of metrics for the assessment of the complexity of models defining the business logic of spreadsheets. This set can be considered the first step in the direction of building a quality standard for spreadsheet models, that is still to be defined. The computation of concrete metric values has further been integrated under a well-established model-driven spreadsheet development environment, providing a framework for the analysis of spreadsheet models under spreadsheets themselves.(undefined

Testing for Monopoly Power when Products are Differentiated in Quality

This paper proposes a reduced form approach toempirically identify the presence of monopoly power in oligopolies characterized by vertical product di erentia-tion. In a fairly general model I derive the reduced form pricing equation under the hypothesis that rms collude by maximizing their joint pro t. A central comparative statics result states that a product's price depends only on its own quality and not on the quality ofits competitors. I propose simple tests implied by this result, requiring data only on the prices and the physical characteristics of the products. The tests are applied to the market for spreadsheets inthe US (1986-1991) and to the market for `engine variants' in the 1990 French car market. The empirical results are promising, but also indicate the need for further generalizations of the model.

Towards Evaluating the Quality of a Spreadsheet: The Case of the Analytical Spreadsheet Model

We consider the challenge of creating guidelines to evaluate the quality of a spreadsheet model. We suggest four principles. First, state the domain-the spreadsheets to which the guidelines apply. Second, distinguish between the process by which a spreadsheet is constructed from the resulting spreadsheet artifact. Third, guidelines should be written in terms of the artifact, independent of the process. Fourth, the meaning of "quality" must be defined. We illustrate these principles with an example. We define the domain of "analytical spreadsheet models", which are used in business, finance, engineering, and science. We propose for discussion a framework and terminology for evaluating the quality of analytical spreadsheet models. This framework categorizes and generalizes the findings of previous work on the more narrow domain of financial spreadsheet models. We suggest that the ultimate goal is a set of guidelines for an evaluator, and a checklist for a developer.Comment: Proc. European Spreadsheet Risks Int. Grp. (EuSpRIG) 2011 ISBN 978-0-9566256-9-

Spreadsheet knowledge: An exploratory study

Spreadsheets are the most commonly used tool for end user development of applications, and organizations depend heavily upon them for decision making. This paper reports on a study to investigate the role of spreadsheet knowledge in the successful use of spreadsheet applications. It considers both the spreadsheet knowledge of the user developer and the spreadsheet knowledge of the user and tests a model of the effect of spreadsheet knowledge on the success of a user-developed spreadsheet application. Spreadsheet knowledge was shown to be important in two ways. It influences the quality of the system being developed, but it also acts directly upon the individual impact of the application. Successful use appears to require sufficient knowledge to understand and, if necessary, alter the application