Management by Spreadsheet 

An micromanagement technique whereby the micromanager generates an infinite stream of spreadsheets, mostly containing a hodgepodge of data, each purported to document and store a specific part of an employee's work output.

The employee is required to fill out blanks in the spreadsheet instead of remaining engaged in useful work.

The intent of the micromanager is to to attain control over all knowledge, gaining a sense of omnipotence. The inevitable end result is that spreadsheet maintenance becomes the only work performed.

Today I'm filling out one of his spreadsheets documenting my hourly work output. I'm really getting tired of Management by Spreadsheet.

Management by Spreadsheet by Dr. Specific September 22, 2009