Quality control in spreadsheets: a software engineering-based approach to spreadsheet development

This paper presents work conducted towards the development of an effective software engineering-based methodology for integrity control in the process of spreadsheet development. Various approaches and concepts within the discipline of software engineering are investigated. The proposed methodology consists of a set of coherent stages incorporating relevant software engineering techniques and principles. The framework for spreadsheet quality control is mainly aimed at addressing the widespread problem of spreadsheet errors. This paper elaborately discusses the application of relevant software engineering techniques and principles in the construction of spreadsheet models, accompanied and supported by appropriate examples. The principles and techniques of tree-based formula representation, unique definition of spreadsheet elements, and separation of data and operations are among the main features explored.