I have looked through [What topics can I ask about here?](https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic) in the help-centre. If I were to define a category for my question I would go with [freelancing and business concerns](https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic). On the other hand I have concerns that my question is not a good fit for programmers because I [couldn't find](https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/search?q=how+long+should+take+me) any similar questions. I have tried different variations of searching but haven't even come close to anything related to my question (or maybe overlooked it). I realize that my question is primarily opinion-based.

My question:

> As a business analyst(not officially but a programmer too) I was asked
> to analyse and rebuild an Excel spreadsheet that came to a company
> from another one ages ago. The spreadsheet is used as both back and
> front end as it stands. They would like me to break them apart and
> design a front end for it and create a template (back end) that could
> be automated based on content in some other files. The whole point is
> to reduce the possibility of human error in populating data.
> 
> Currently, there is no one at that company who would be able to
> explain all the parts of the spreadsheet. After local research it
> turns out that the file is populated by different departments. It
> turns out some people say: oh, we do not need this or that part cause
> nobody uses it while others say do not touch this or that it's needed.
> It is a mess...
> 
> I wouldn't know which parts of the spreadsheet are needed and which
> ones are not needed. I am afraid it would take me *ages* to work that
> out. I would have to go through all the people who use the spreadsheet
> to figure out *who does what*. I have the time to do that but I am
> unsure if it wouldn't be easier to start the file from scratch.
> 
> They held a meeting for the review of the file (which I did not
> attend, no invitation was sent out to me) and literally nothing has
> been decided but the fact that the spreadsheet needs to be rebuilt. I
> know this sounds extreme to some of you but I guess it's how that
> company works... They sit in a meeting for hours talking about some
> changes, *bollocking,* although every one leaves with no conclusions
> and no further instructions. Also, it's one of the "we hate any
> changes" places...
> 
> It's a hell of a job to actually achieve what they want. So, in terms
> of making it easier for myself what do you think should I do:
>
> - try to convenience them to start from scratch?
>
> - get on with the current design and try to achieve what they want?
>
> 
> Have you got any experience with similar cases? What should I do?

Is it completely off for Programmers or should I ask it somewhere else (maybe another stack exchange site)?

Is there anything I can improve or modify to make it fit for Programmers?