At ClayMatter, building models is our passion. Great modelling is not about keyboard shortcuts or being the most technical person in the room. It is about combining Excel with design simplicity and top-tier project management. For this reason, ClayMatter is a signatory to the FAST modelling standard, which is a continuously evolving modelling guideline founded upon the belief that all models should be Flexible, Appropriate, Structured and Transparent.

When building models, the experts will tell you most errors occur during the requirements gathering phase. Trying to understand all the moving parts of a project and managing stakeholders is complex. But nobody sets out to build a complex model, and at ClayMatter our mantra is to keep things simple. Sometimes the best advice we can give will be to say no. This is a skill that junior staff often lack because they need experience and credibility before they will be heard. The requirements phase will greatly influence every subsequent step you take, and it is critical to ensure you are heading in the right direction. A 30 minute meeting could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars.