A Better Approach to Model Validation: Practical, Thoughtful, Useful

Let’s be real - no one really gets too excited about a model validation.

For many model owners, it can feel like a frustrating drain on time and resources..

It shows up on your calendar, takes over your week (or month!), and suddenly you find yourself digging through old files, answering many follow-up emails, and trying to remember why you updated that assumption last year.

But a good validator knows how to make things easier and productive, not harder.

Here’s what that looks like:

✅ They start with a quick call to understand how your model works, the history of the model's development, and what really matters.

✅ They provide a short, focused request list that’s actually relevant - not some generic checklist that sends you hunting for things that don’t apply or don't matter.

✅ They do their homework, so they don’t waste your time with questions they could’ve answered on their own.

✅ They deliver value-add insights, not just findings. The best validators highlight strengths, flag real risks, and give recommendations that actually help you improve from both a risk management and business perspective.

✅ They engage in real conversations to understand your pain points, and bring actionable ideas that make your life easier, not harder.

✅ They tailor their findings to your size, structure, and resources - keeping feedback reasonable and pragmatic while still delivering true independent challenge.

✅ And they keep the process organized so you’re not chasing emails or wondering what’s next.

Model validation will never really be "fun" - but it doesn’t have to be frustrating.

What have you done, or seen done, that helps make validations smoother and less painful?