Rules and exceptions
Count the distinct decisions, calculations and approved overrides. Unwritten exceptions need clarification before an accurate implementation estimate.
Scope and cost guide
Sheet count does not tell the whole story.
A small workbook can hide difficult rules, while a large table may support a straightforward task.
Reviewed October 16, 2026 ยท Faith Forge Labs
Data and history
Duplicates, attachments, linked records and inconsistent identifiers can add migration work. Agree which history must move and how it will be checked.
Roles and connected tools
Different view, edit and approval rights need design and tests. Imports, accounting tools and other connections need ownership and failure handling.
First release and ongoing work
A useful first phase lets one group finish one task with checked data and a clear save result. Separate later reports, support, hosting and additional workflows from that scope.
Prepare a safe workbook description, user roles, known examples and deadline. Ask an estimate to state exclusions and the acceptance checks.