Headline findings
- A majority of members report that at least one core operational process still runs primarily in spreadsheets or email.
- Manual consolidation for management reporting remains widespread, with many citing multiple days of effort per cycle.
- Investment intent in low-code and process-automation tooling has risen year on year.
| Process area | Still mainly manual | Investment planned |
|---|---|---|
| Capital / expenditure approvals | 61% | 48% |
| Maintenance & asset requests | 57% | 44% |
| Management / operational reporting | 64% | 51% |
Growth through new sites has exposed how much of our operation still depends on local spreadsheets. Standardising these processes is now a board-level priority for many members.— summarised member feedback, 2026 survey
Outlook
The Council expects continued movement toward governed digital process platforms, particularly among multi-site members, over the next two years.