Follow one fictional example.
For a fictional job estimate, list the entered quantity, the rate lookup, any adjustment and the final result. Record who supplies each value and when they can override it.
Workbook discovery
Find the rules between the input and the final number.
A formula list alone does not describe how people use the workbook.
Reviewed October 16, 2026 ยท Faith Forge Labs
Separate inputs from decisions.
Mark fields people type, values copied from another file, calculated results and manually approved exceptions. Include hidden sheets, macros or external connections that affect the task.
Keep expected results.
Prepare a normal example, missing input, boundary value and authorized adjustment. Agree the expected result with the business owner before reproducing the rule in code.
Review the surrounding work.
Who checks the result? Where is it copied next? Which workbook is current? Those answers help decide what belongs in the first app and what can remain a useful analysis tool.