Spreadsheet tracking vs EvidenceTrail
A source-linked comparison for teams deciding whether manual trackers are enough for Awaab's Law evidence review, or whether an evidence-pack overlay would reduce reconciliation work.
| Option | May fit when | Limits to review |
|---|---|---|
| Spreadsheet or manual tracker | The team has a small caseload, clear ownership, and a stable way to preserve source-system references. | Manual evidence links, version control, access attempts, contractor records, and review sign-off can become hard to reconcile. |
| EvidenceTrail overlay | The team needs source references, proof links, statutory-clock visibility, and pack review without replacing repairs systems. | The buyer still needs legal, policy, information-governance, and procurement review before using it in a live workflow. |
Objections to test before buying
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Could a spreadsheet be enough for a small cohort?
Yes, when ownership is named, the cohort is small, and source links to repairs, complaints, tenant messages, and contractor records are kept current.
Evidence to check: Sample ten live cases and confirm every clock date, source reference, tenant update, and review sign-off can be traced without copying raw personal data into the tracker.
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What changes when the tracker becomes operationally risky?
The risk is usually reconciliation, not the spreadsheet itself: version history, access control, attachment provenance, and repeated pack updates become harder as owners and cases multiply.
Evidence to check: Check whether the team can regenerate the same evidence pack after a case update and explain which source system each claim came from.
Sources checked
- GOV.UK Awaab's Law guidance for social landlords Jurisdiction/scope: England
- The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 Jurisdiction/scope: England
Review sign-off
- Humanizer: PASS
- Legal-safety: PASS
- SME: PASS
- External solicitor review: NOT OBTAINED
This comparison supports operational review. It does not guarantee legal compliance, regulator acceptance, Ombudsman findings, or litigation outcomes.