This Spreadsheet Burnout Test is an accompaniment to the article, “Is a spreadsheet sufficient to run my business?”
Are you running your business with a spreadsheet? Take this test to determine if it’s time to find a better solution:
Score yourself:
- 0 points = Never true
- 1 point = Sometimes true
- 2 points = Often true
1. Version Control & Access
- ☐ I often find multiple versions of the same spreadsheet with no clear “source of truth.”
- ☐ I have to email or message the file to team members instead of everyone working from one place.
2. Manual Workload
- ☐ I spend more time updating the spreadsheet than managing the actual project.
- ☐ I need to manually adjust formulas or copy/paste data from other sheets or systems.
3. Collaboration Bottlenecks
- ☐ Two people can’t work on the same sheet without risking overwriting changes.
- ☐ I have to schedule meetings or calls just to update project status.
4. Reporting & Visibility
- ☐ It’s hard to quickly see which projects are on track, at risk, or overdue.
- ☐ I can’t get real-time updates without digging through multiple tabs or files.
5. Client Communication
- ☐ Sharing project updates with clients requires me to export, clean, or reformat data.
- ☐ Clients ask for clarification because the spreadsheet isn’t easy to read.
6. Growth Pain
- ☐ Adding a new project or client requires building a whole new sheet or restructuring old ones.
- ☐ When my business grows, my spreadsheet setup gets more complicated and fragile.
7. Accuracy & Trust
- ☐ We’ve made decisions based on outdated or incorrect spreadsheet data.
- ☐ If one key person is away, no one else knows how to use or update the spreadsheet properly.
Scoring
- 0–6 points: Spreadsheet still working for you, but watch for early warning signs.
- 7–14 points: You’re starting to lose efficiency—time to explore a dedicated project/client management tool.
- 15+ points: 🚨 Spreadsheet has become a choke point. Transition to a better system immediately before it costs you money or clients.
Call us to discuss development of an automated SYSTEM using FileMaker. 612-401-7550. HighPowerData.com OR email us at Admin@highpowerdata.com to get a free 45-day trial FileMaker Pro application.