We’ve all done it. The spreadsheet that became a system. The side-channel email that fills a gap in the process. The “just for now” tool that’s still in use three years later.

Workarounds start out harmless — quick fixes that keep things moving. But over time, they pile up. And before you know it, they’re costing more than they’re saving.



What Is a Workaround, Really?

A workaround is anything you’re doing outside your main system to get a job done.

It might be:

• A manual process that replaces missing functionality
  
• An Excel file on someone’s desktop instead of a shared database
  
• A text message or WhatsApp group because the system doesn’t notify properly
  
• Re-keying the same data into multiple systems because they don’t talk to each other
  
  

They’re not always obvious — but they’re everywhere.

The Hidden Costs

Workarounds aren’t just inconvenient. They come with a real price tag:

Time Wasted

• Entering data twice, chasing updates, fixing errors — it all adds up. Multiply that across a team or an entire organisation, and it’s hours (or days) lost each week.

Errors and Inconsistencies

• Workarounds often rely on manual entry or isolated systems. That increases the risk of incorrect data, out-of-date info, or things falling through the cracks.

Security Risks

• Saving files locally, emailing sensitive data, or using unofficial tools might get the job done — but it can open the door to compliance issues or data breaches.

Staff Frustration

• If your team is constantly finding ways around the system, it’s a sign the system isn’t working for them. Morale drops. People stop trusting the tools they’re given. And that leads to even more disconnected processes.

Missed Opportunities

• When your data is scattered or incomplete, reporting becomes a nightmare. That means missed insights, slower decision-making, and less impact from the work you’re doing.

Why It Happens (and How to Fix It)

Workarounds are usually a symptom, not the problem. They happen when the tools you’re using don’t quite fit — when the system can’t do what you need, or the process doesn’t reflect how people actually work.

That’s why we don’t just build systems — we fix the gaps.

At HutSix, we work with your team to understand what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Then we design smart, secure, and easy-to-use systems that:

• Remove the friction
  
• Automate the repetitive
  
• Connect the disconnected
  
• Capture the right info, once, in the right place
  
  

No more sticky notes. No more doubling up. No more “just for now” fixes.

Ready to replace your workarounds with a proper solution?

Let’s talk about how we can make the right way the easy way.