arXiv subjects

Craig Hatmaker

Publications and source records attributed to Craig Hatmaker.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Reducing Errors in Excel Models with Component-Based Software Engineering

Model errors are pervasive and can be catastrophic. We can reduce model errors and time to market by applying Component-Based Software Engineering (CBSE) concepts to Excel models. CBSE assembles solutions from pre-built, pre-tested components rather than written from formulas. This is made possible by the introduction of LAMBDA. LAMBDA is an Excel function that creates functions from Excel's formulas. CBSE-compliant LAMBDA functions can be reused in any project just like any Excel function. They also look exactly like Excel's native functions such as SUM(). This makes it possible for even junior modelers to leverage CBSE-compliant LAMBDAs to develop models quicker with fewer errors.

cs.SE↗

arXiv2018

Proposed Spreadsheet Transparency Definition and Measures

Auditors demand financial models be transparent yet no consensus exists on what that means precisely. Without a clear modeling transparency definition we cannot know when our models are "transparent". The financial modeling community debates which methods are more or less transparent as though transparency is a quantifiable entity yet no measures exist. Without a transparency measure modelers cannot objectively evaluate methods and know which improves model transparency. This paper proposes a definition for spreadsheet modeling transparency that is specific enough to create measures and automation tools for auditors to determine if a model meets transparency requirements. The definition also provides modelers the ability to objectively compare spreadsheet modeling methods to select which best meets their goals.

cs.SE↗