Are you an expert model builder who enjoys tweaking your models so you can shave micro-seconds off load times? Maybe you’ve been assigned the task of taking a poorly performing model and getting it back up to speed. Or you are looking for a way to take your model building skills to the next level.

We’ve got some exciting news for you! We’ve looked at the principal ways that you can optimize model performance and created a checklist. It builds on what we’ve provided in the Planual and takes it a step further. The checklist helps you identify issues that may impact performance, explains why, and includes the actions you can take to fix them.

Use the checklist:

When building new models to ensure that you are following best practices. Add going through the checklist as part of every sprint review.
When performing a yearly review of models, as some COEs may require. Use the checklist to help complete the review.
When you have a model that is experiencing a problem with performance. Some of the items in the checklist can be corrected easily, others may take some time.
When coaching or mentoring new model builders. Encourage them to use the checklist to instill good model building habits right from the start.

How to use the checklist: The checklist includes questions. Click the posts to display more information. Each topic includes more details about when and why this may be a problem, how to correct it, and links to articles and short lessons that provide more information.

Model Optimization Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure your model aligns with best practices and Planual guidelines for optimal model performance

Lists: Does the list have a code?
When is this a problem? All lists should have a code. Why is this a problem? A code makes loading and using a list more efficient, so it is best practice to include a code, especially for numbered lists. How to correct: Check source system availability for creating a source code, as this is often possible. If not, you can…
Lists: Does the list use a combination of properties as a code?
When is this a problem? Always. Why is this a problem? This practice taxes the system and leaves you without a code, making it much harder to map data when importing to the list. How to correct: Exception: If there is no code in the source, you'll have to use a combination of properties. This is rare and should always be a…
Lists: Does the list use Time as part of the key?
When is this a problem? This is most often seen in a transactional list when creating a unique value for an item to import to a list. Why is this a problem? Thinking about this from a list creation point of view, do you really want to create a new list item for every date, or do you want to create the list item once? If…

Model Optimization Checklist