The reporting problem
The team produced important business reports every working day. Different Excel models tracked prices, daily profit-and-loss information and other risk measures. The calculations were valuable, but preparing the reports involved too many repeated steps.
Because the work happened every morning, even small inefficiencies multiplied quickly. The reporting process also needed to be accurate, reviewable and ready early enough for the wider business to use.
The solution
A suite of 12 Excel reporting models was developed, each designed as a one-click solution. The models took recurring source files, performed the required calculations and produced the standard reporting outputs in a consistent way.
The wider morning routine was also organised so that most reports could be prepared by approximately 9 AM, reducing the amount of manual report preparation required at the start of the day.
Accuracy remained part of the process
Automation was not treated as a substitute for checking. The models were tested alongside the analysts responsible for the reports, with attention paid to usability, error tracking, speed and the accuracy of the resulting output.
- Repeatable daily reporting instead of rebuilding each report.
- Consistent calculations and report structure.
- Less manual preparation each morning.
- Clearer error checking and review.
- More time for analysts to interpret the information rather than assemble it.
Why this matters for smaller businesses
You do not need twelve reports for the same principle to apply. If one person spends several hours every Friday or at month-end preparing essentially the same workbook, there may be a strong case for turning that report into a refreshable process.