InterviewStack.io LogoInterviewStack.io

Analytical Modeling and Documentation Questions

Design and document analytical models and spreadsheets so they are auditable, maintainable, and easy for others to review and update. Core practices include structuring workbooks with a dedicated assumptions or inputs section, clearly separating raw data, detailed calculations, and summary outputs or key performance indicators, and applying consistent formatting, headers, and naming conventions. Avoid hard coded numbers by centralizing inputs, using named ranges and descriptive cell references, and documenting complex formulas with cell comments or explanatory notes. Maintain a documentation or readme sheet that explains model purpose, layout, assumptions, how to update inputs, and known limitations. Build validation checks and error flags, modularize logic for reuse, and design for scalability across larger data sets or additional time periods. Be prepared to explain sensitivities and scenario analysis, demonstrate how the model supports audit and review, and describe processes for versioning and change tracking.

MediumTechnical
0 practiced
You're building a control sheet that aggregates critical KPIs and links to detailed calculation cells across multiple sheets. Describe an approach for layout, methods to create robust links (direct references, named ranges, table references, avoiding volatile functions), and strategies to minimize broken links when source sheets are refactored or renamed.
HardTechnical
0 practiced
How would you produce an audit-ready calculation lineage report that traces each KPI back to the originating raw fields and transformation steps (including SQL views, Power Query steps, and Excel formulas)? Describe the tools and extraction techniques you would use, the desired output format, and the maintenance approach to keep lineage up-to-date.
MediumTechnical
0 practiced
Create a peer-review checklist that an analyst should run when reviewing another team member's model before publication. Include items across data integrity, formula correctness, boundary/edge-case testing, named ranges, formatting, performance, documentation adequacy, and sign-off evidence for auditors.
HardTechnical
0 practiced
Explain how to implement Slowly Changing Dimension Type 2 (SCD2) for customer attributes in an analytical model. Cover source ingestion, SCD2 table schema (surrogate key, effective_from, effective_to, is_current), surrogate keys, joining facts to dimension versions, and best practices for surfacing historical attribute changes in Power BI reports.
EasyTechnical
0 practiced
You open a spreadsheet and discover hard-coded numeric values embedded inside formulas across multiple sheets. Outline a step-by-step remediation plan to centralize inputs, replace hard-coded numbers with references or named ranges, validate equivalence to original results, and document the changes for audit purposes.

Unlock Full Question Bank

Get access to hundreds of Analytical Modeling and Documentation interview questions and detailed answers.

Sign in to Continue

Join thousands of developers preparing for their dream job.