05/06/2026
A side spreadsheet usually appears for a reason.
It may look like extra admin work, but in many teams, it is the place where people protect the details the official system does not make clear enough.
From staff members to operations teams, users may use spreadsheets like a handy note because it makes their work easier. Unexpected, yes, but helpful.
Observing user behaviour matters because it shows how people actually manage risk, memory, trust, and accountability inside a workflow.
For teams planning AI or automation, the side spreadsheet should be studied before it is removed.
It may contain the real rules, follow-ups, judgement, and workarounds that the system has not captured yet.
Read the full article on our website:
https://www.user.com.sg/side-spreadsheet-product-signal/
User Experience Researchers
Helping AI Truly Understand Humans