IT-Style Controls Without Leaving Excel

Enterprises govern Excel-based models by layering controls on top of spreadsheets rather than replacing them. This includes version control, approval workflows, audit trails, ownership assignment, and validation checks—allowing Excel to remain the authoring environment while enforcing enterprise governance standards required for regulated processes.

Coherent Control provides this governance layer directly in Excel, enabling teams to manage spreadsheet-driven workflows with the same rigor applied to production systems.

Excel itself is not non-compliant—but unmanaged Excel processes are. Spreadsheets can meet audit and regulatory requirements when changes are controlled, approvals are enforced, and evidence is retained.

With proper controls in place—such as immutable audit trails, maker-checker approvals, and documented change history—Excel models can satisfy regulatory expectations for financial reporting, actuarial modeling, and risk management.

Regulators and auditors typically expect the following controls for spreadsheet-based models:

• Version control with full change history
• Clear model ownership and accountability
• Maker-checker or approval workflows
• Segregation of duties
• Validation and testing evidence
• Documented rationale for material changes

Coherent Control enforces these controls without requiring teams to move logic out of Excel or rebuild models in new systems.

Maker-checker workflows separate model creation from approval. One user (the maker) proposes a change, while another authorized user (the checker) reviews and approves it before the change is finalized or deployed.

In Excel workflows, this is difficult to enforce manually. Coherent Control automates maker-checker approvals by routing spreadsheet changes through configurable approval paths based on materiality, risk level, or business impact—while maintaining a complete audit trail.

Git and SharePoint track file versions, but they are not designed for governing business logic inside spreadsheets.

Spreadsheet governance requires:

• Formula-level change tracking, not just file snapshots
• Business-context awareness (what changed and why it matters)
• Integrated approvals and audit evidence
• Controls aligned to regulatory requirements

Coherent Control provides version control purpose-built for Excel models, enabling governed change management without requiring users to adopt developer tools or workflows.