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A lot of business continuity programs start in Excel, and for good reason.
It’s flexible, familiar, and easy to get started with. But as your program grows, so does the effort it takes to keep everything updated, tested, and aligned. Eventually, many teams reach a point where spreadsheets can no longer support the work.
Here’s what continuity teams are doing when they’re ready for something more structured, without adding complexity they don’t need.
Moving from Static Files to Structured Workflows
Modern BC teams are moving away from spreadsheets and towards business continuity platforms that help structure the work, so reviews, updates, and testing are all organized in one place.
Instead of manually logging who updated what and when, BC software now automatically tracks plan status (draft, review, approved). Everyone works from the same version, and you don’t have to chase people for approvals or status updates.
Making Reporting Easier, Not Harder
Excel is powerful, but pulling together an audit-ready report or a board-level summary from multiple spreadsheets can take hours.
After Excel, teams are using business continuity software with built-in dashboards and exportable reports. This gives leadership and auditors the information they need without requiring you to build it from scratch every time.
Tracking Testing and Follow-Ups in One Place
Testing your continuity plans is essential, and it’s something most regulators expect to see. But in Excel, testing records often live in separate files, and follow-up actions are tracked in email or not at all.
Teams that move on from spreadsheets are using tools that make testing part of the program lifecycle: logging exercises, assigning improvements, and tracking progress over time, all from the same platform where the plans are stored.
Right-Sized Solutions for Lean Teams
Most continuity programs don’t have a dedicated administrator or full-time analyst managing the tool. That’s why teams moving on from Excel are choosing platforms that match their size and structure.
The goal isn’t more software. It’s better support for the work you’re already doing, with clear workflows, centralized visibility, and tools that help you stay ready without adding complexity.
If Excel has worked for your team but is starting to show its limits, you’re not alone. Many continuity leaders are moving away from manual tools toward purpose-built platforms that make risk management, reporting, and recovery planning easier to manage and easier to explain to leadership.
From Spreadsheets to Structure: See How BCMMetrics Helps
BCMMetrics was built for this shift. It's a business continuity software platform designed to simplify risk and resilience management without the steep learning curve or high costs of traditional enterprise tools. Built by the consultants at MHA Consulting, BCMMetrics brings 25 years of business continuity experience into a practical, easy-to-use platform.
BCMMetrics Has Helped Over 1000 Companies, Including …
At one major government utility project, BCMMetrics helped leadership replace outdated manual processes with a structured, data-driven approach to business continuity. Within months, the company improved its resilience posture and streamlined compliance reporting. They also increased leadership buy-in by using real-time dashboards and structured assessments, all while spending less time searching for information across spreadsheets.
Request a demo of BCMMetrics to see how it can help you move from spreadsheets to a system that keeps your continuity program organized, testable, and ready for whatever comes next.
