Structure Inputs, Calculations, and Outputs Before Formula Writing
Separate model inputs, calculations, and outputs so reviewers can trace logic quickly.
When a spreadsheet mixes assumptions, formulas, and presentation, every update becomes a scavenger hunt. Why the structure matters A model is not just a calculator. It is a decision system that other people must read, pressure-test, and change under time pressure. The FAST Standard treats readability as a control, not a courtesy. Distinct areas for inputs, calculations, and outputs let the reader move through the model in a predictable sequence and reduce the chance of accidental edits. How the three layers work Inputs hold assumptions, imported data, and scenario controls. Calculations transform those drivers into schedules, bridges, and roll-forwards. Outputs…
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