Miscalculating Mistakes

Highly skilled people, performing a common task many times a day, can and will make mistakes.

Recently I read an article in Nature, how Excel autocorrect is creating an increasing problem in genetic research which crystallised how dangerous it is to rely on procedural controls.

"The long-standing issue often occurs when the abbreviated form of a gene’s name — known as a gene symbol — is incorrectly recognized as a date and autocorrected as such by Excel or Google Sheets. For example, SEPT4 (septin 4) and MARCH1 (membrane associated ring-CH-type finger 1) will be automatically changed to 4-Sep and 1-Mar."

One control is changing the gene names, but this is hampered by old data sets having references to the old naming convention.

A more effective control would be no longer using excel. Only use Python or R. The challenge here is that it involves changes in how people are used to doing their work.

Just another reminder that risk management is nuanced and always requires proactive management - especially when the stakes are so high.