Different Game Plan
We have seen many people struggling with utilizing Excel efficiently. Using the SSMI methodology not only allows you to avoid both mechanical and logical mistakes when creating spreadsheets, but also lets you develop spreadsheets faster. The methodology is easy to learn and to apply: you don’t have to memorize a long list of rules and exceptions to the rules.
With the SSMI Professional certification, you will be part of a community of other professionals and you will have access to forums where you can ask questions and share ideas.
Easy to Start
Following the SSMI methodology does not require extra work. After all, you need to create variables and their formulas one way or another, and you have to enter them in your spreadsheet. Instead of doing both activities at the same time, you now do them separately. You will even save time by avoiding those “What was I doing?” moments when you switch from the mechanical task of entering a formula in your spreadsheet to the creative task of figuring out which new variable to create.
Simple to Reuse
Following the methodology automatically creates your spreadsheet’s documentation: The Formula Diagram and the Formula List. It is much easier to understand how your spreadsheet works by looking at the diagram rather than the spreadsheet itself: the Trace precedents and Trace dependents arrows quickly become unwieldy and are no match to the clarity of the Formula Diagram. Your spreadsheets will also be easier to maintain. You start with the creative task of modifying the Formula Diagram and the Formula List, and you continue with the mechanical task where you know exactly what needs to be done in the spreadsheet. You get a better understanding of the impact of your changes. You can easily re-use a previous Formula Diagram, and its corresponding spreadsheet, when you start a new project. You avoid having to spend time to develop another model from scratch.
Fast to Understand
Have you ever tried to explain your spreadsheet to your colleagues or clients? Did you try to describe your formulas by repeatedly explaining what the cell coordinates meant? Chances are they were nodding their heads but did not fully understand your explanations. How about understanding your own spreadsheet weeks or months later? This is why explanations are a lot easier with the use of the Formula Diagram.