Model structure

Understand how the main parts of a model fit together.

A clear model structure makes a model easier to build, review, and maintain.

Common structural layers

• sections for major business areas
• variables inside each section
• helper logic that supports larger calculations
• dimensions applied where extra detail is needed
• outputs that feed views, boards, and scenario review

A practical structure pattern

Many teams structure a model in this order: assumptions, drivers, calculations, outputs. This keeps the logic readable and makes it easier to trace how an output is built.

What good structure helps you do

Good structure helps you:

• review formulas without scanning unrelated lines
• separate inputs from calculated logic
• keep helper variables close to the outputs they support
• make scenario changes easier to test

Keep the model readable as it grows

A small model can tolerate loose structure. A shared model cannot. Once scenarios, linked models, and board reporting rely on the same logic, structure becomes a maintenance issue, not just a style preference.

Related pages

• What is a model
• Model best practices
• Using dimensions with variables