Form
Structural Strategy Assessment
The assessment is structured around distinct sections:
A. General Framework
B. Exposure & Instruments
C. Risk Management
D. Data & Testing
E. Execution & Human factor
In what context do you use this strategy?
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This information helps contextualize the analysis and adjust evaluation thresholds.
In what context do you use this strategy?
A2. Capital actually deployed
What is the approximate amount of capital actually deployed?
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The capital considered is the one truly exposed to risk by the strategy.
What is the approximate amount of capital actually deployed?
What is the main time horizon of the strategy?
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The horizon should be consistent with the instruments used and the trading frequency.
What is the main time horizon of the strategy?
What is the average trading frequency?
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High frequency implies specific execution and discipline constraints.
What is the average trading frequency?
A5. Degree of formalization
Is the strategy formalized through clear and reproducible rules?
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The rules should allow a third party to understand and reproduce the strategy.
Is the strategy formalized through clear and reproducible rules?
What is the main objective of the strategy?
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This helps identify potential inconsistencies with the level of risk taken.
What is the main objective of the strategy?
B. Exposure & Instruments
B1. Type of instruments used
Which instruments are used by the strategy?
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This question helps identify the level of complexity and instrument-specific risks.
Select all that apply.
Which instruments are used by the strategy?
B2. Understanding of the actual payoff
Do you precisely understand how the strategy makes and loses money across different scenarios?
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This refers to understanding the shape of gains and losses (the payoff) in various market conditions.
Do you precisely understand how the strategy makes and loses money across different scenarios?
B3. Implicit directional exposure
Even if it appears “neutral,” does the strategy depend heavily on market direction?
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Some strategies present themselves as neutral while remaining directionally exposed.
Even if it appears “neutral,” does the strategy depend heavily on market direction?
B4. Loss convexity and asymmetry
Can the strategy generate losses greater than initially expected?
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For example: sharp moves, gaps, adjustments, extreme volatility.
Can the strategy generate losses greater than initially expected?
B5. Explicit and implicit leverage
Is total risk amplified (leverage / margin), and is it controlled?
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Leverage may stem from instruments, margin, or the strategy’s structure.
Is total risk amplified (leverage / margin), and is it controlled?
B6. Extreme risks and stress scenarios
Has the strategy been analyzed under extreme scenarios?
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For example: gaps, extreme volatility, illiquid markets, exceptional events.
Has the strategy been analyzed under extreme scenarios?
C1. Maximum loss per trade
What is the maximum acceptable loss on a single trade (as a % of total capital)?
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This refers to the maximum loss expected in a worst-case scenario on one trade.
What is the maximum acceptable loss on a single trade (as a % of total capital)?
C2. Maximum cumulative loss (drawdown)
What is the maximum acceptable cumulative loss before stopping or significantly reducing the strategy?
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This limit should trigger a clear action (pause, risk reduction, stop).
What is the maximum acceptable cumulative loss before stopping or significantly reducing the strategy?
C3. Stop or deactivation rule
Is there an explicit rule to stop or pause the strategy in case of abnormal losses?
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A stop rule helps prevent runaway losses.
Is there an explicit rule to stop or pause the strategy in case of abnormal losses?
Have you assessed the risk of extreme losses that could jeopardize the survival of the strategy or the capital?
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Risk of ruin refers to the probability of losses incompatible with long-term survival.
Have you assessed the risk of extreme losses that could jeopardize the survival of the strategy or the capital?
C5. Accumulation of simultaneous risks
Is there an explicit limit on total risk engaged simultaneously?
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For example: multiple correlated positions or cumulative directional exposure.
Is there an explicit limit on total risk engaged simultaneously?
C6. Risk / capital consistency
Is the strategy’s sizing consistent with the capital actually available?
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This includes margins, potential margin calls, and tolerance to financial stress.
Is the strategy’s sizing consistent with the capital actually available?
D1. Existence of a backtest or exploitable history
Does the strategy rely on exploitable historical data (backtest or real trading history)?
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Results should rely on sufficiently structured data to be analyzed.
Does the strategy rely on exploitable historical data (backtest or real trading history)?
Approximately how many trades does the analysis rely on?
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Too few trades make any conclusion unreliable.
Approximately how many trades does the analysis rely on?
D3. Diversity of market conditions
Do the tests cover varied market conditions?
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For example: bull, bear, range-bound markets, high or low volatility.
Do the tests cover varied market conditions?
D4. Integration of real-world costs
Are real-world costs (fees, slippage, financing) included in the tests?
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Tests without realistic costs significantly overestimate robustness.
Are real-world costs (fees, slippage, financing) included in the tests?
Does the strategy remain viable when parameters are slightly modified?
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High parameter sensitivity is often a sign of overfitting.
Does the strategy remain viable when parameters are slightly modified?
D6. Separation between testing and validation
Have you validated the strategy on a period or data set different from the one used to build it?
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For example: out-of-sample testing, forward testing, or distinct periods.
Have you validated the strategy on a period or data set different from the one used to build it?
E. Execution & Human factor
E1. Ability to follow rules
Are you able to strictly follow the strategy’s rules, even during losing periods?
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Discipline is a key survival factor, regardless of the strategy’s theoretical quality.
Are you able to strictly follow the strategy’s rules, even during losing periods?
How do you usually react after a series of losses?
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Certain emotional reactions significantly amplify losses.
How do you usually react after a series of losses?
E3. Operational constraints
Is the strategy compatible with your personal constraints (time, availability, environment)?
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A strategy incompatible with real constraints is rarely viable long term.
Is the strategy compatible with your personal constraints (time, availability, environment)?
E4. Stress and mental load
Is the level of stress generated by the strategy sustainable over time?
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Excessive stress degrades execution and discipline.
Is the level of stress generated by the strategy sustainable over time?
E5. Procedures in exceptional situations
Are there clear rules in case of exceptional events?
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For example: extreme volatility, technical issues, illiquid markets.
Are there clear rules in case of exceptional events?
E6. Feedback and adjustment process
Do you have a clear method to monitor the strategy and adjust it if it degrades?
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A feedback process helps improve robustness without improvisation.
Do you have a clear method to monitor the strategy and adjust it if it degrades?
Your evaluation is ready.
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