Learner checklist
Can we rely on this model?
A practical summary of the seminar. Use the café checklist to sanity-check a forecast before relying on it, then check the six qualities every decision-useful model should have.
Café model quality checklist
A nine-question pass for the running café Sunday-trading example.
| Question | Café model answer | Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Is the model purpose clear? | Yes — assess Sunday trading | |
| Is the decision clear? | Yes — open, do not open, or trial Sundays | |
| Are the key outputs clear? | Yes — revenue, costs, profit and cash impact | |
| Are assumptions separated? | Yes — customer, price, cost and wage assumptions are inputs | |
| Are calculations traceable? | Yes — revenue, food cost, wages and profit are separate | |
| Are formulas simple? | Yes — each row performs one clear calculation | |
| Are scenarios included? | Yes — base, downside and upside | |
| Are checks included? | Yes — revenue, labour, profit and scenario checks | |
| Can someone else understand it? | Yes — guide, labels and structure explain the model |
Is the model purpose clear?
Café model answer
Yes — assess Sunday trading
Is the decision clear?
Café model answer
Yes — open, do not open, or trial Sundays
Are the key outputs clear?
Café model answer
Yes — revenue, costs, profit and cash impact
Are assumptions separated?
Café model answer
Yes — customer, price, cost and wage assumptions are inputs
Are calculations traceable?
Café model answer
Yes — revenue, food cost, wages and profit are separate
Are formulas simple?
Café model answer
Yes — each row performs one clear calculation
Are scenarios included?
Café model answer
Yes — base, downside and upside
Are checks included?
Café model answer
Yes — revenue, labour, profit and scenario checks
Can someone else understand it?
Café model answer
Yes — guide, labels and structure explain the model
Final learner takeaway
Six qualities every model worth relying on should have.
Built to answer a defined question
Inputs, calculations, outputs and checks are separated
Logic can be followed by someone else
Key assumptions can be changed
Errors and limitations are visible
Outputs support a real business decision
Practical model quality principles
For learners who want to go deeper after this introductory course, the FAST Standard is a useful next resource. It formalises many professional modelling design principles around models being Flexible, Appropriate, Structured and Transparent, with a strong emphasis on simple formulas, clear structure, and transparent spreadsheet design.