Automatically Generate Documentation in SAS Model Risk Management

Good model documentation doesn't have to mean starting from a blank page. For model owners, developers, validators, and compliance teams alike, assembling a formal documentation artifact has traditionally meant pulling information from multiple sources, reconciling it manually, and hoping nothing was missed.

This post introduces the Generate Documentation feature in SAS Model Risk Management — released in the 2025.09 Long Term Stable Release. This feature provides a faster, more consistent way to produce formal model documentation at any stage of the lifecycle. It pulls real data directly from your model record and assembles it into a structured, ready-to-edit Word document.

What does it do?

When you click Generate Documentation text in SAS Model Risk Management, the system pulls the current state of your model record from Cirrus Objects and populates a structured Word document template with real data. Automatically. That includes:

Model name, description, and classifications
Team member roles (owners, developers, users, validators)
Linked model reviews (both validated and non-validated)
Findings associated with the model
Model documentation policy text (pulled from a standard file in Viya)

The result is a ready-to-edit .docx file that gives every member of the model lifecycle team a consistent, accurate starting point without manual assembly work.

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Who is it for?

Everyone involved in the model lifecycle gets something out of this feature.

Model Owners can initiate document generation once team assignments and model information are in place, then review and finalize the output before approval activities begin.

Model Developers can use the generated document as a foundation for documenting methodology, data sources, key assumptions, and implementation details, adding narrative on top of structured data.

Model Validators can access generated documentation ahead of independent review, using document completeness as an early indicator of review readiness.

Model Users, Auditors, and Compliance Units can reference uploaded documentation to confirm validations, findings, and model record completeness.

When should you use it?

You can generate documentation at any point in the model lifecycle. Common moments include:

After team members are assigned and general model information is completed
After reviews and findings are linked to produce a consolidated record
Before an audit or regulatory submission
After a material model update

One important note: The document reflects the state of your model record at the moment of generation. Ensure all fields, team assignments, reviews, and findings are up to date.

How to use it

Step 1 — Prepare your model record

Confirm that model name, description, classifications, team members, model reviews, and findings are complete.

Step 2 — Open the Documentation tab

On the Model page, select the Documentation tab and locate the Attachments section.

Step 3 — Click Generate Documentation

Click Generate Documentation. The system downloads a Word (.docx) file to your machine.

Step 4 — Review and edit the document

Add narrative content such as model rationale, data sources, assumptions, limitations, and exceptions required by your organization.

Step 5 — Upload the finalized document

Upload the finalized document to the Attached Documentation container. It becomes part of the model’s official record and audit trail.

Things to note

The output is a Word (.docx) file. PDF output is not currently supported.
You can generate documentation as many times as needed.
The document is a starting point—narrative content still requires human authorship.

Model documentation is one of the most time-consuming parts of the model lifecycle and one of the most important. The Generate Documentation feature is a strong step toward making that work faster and more consistent across every role and every stage. Whether you are a model owner initiating documentation after setup, a developer building out the methodology record, a validator confirming readiness for review, or an auditor checking that everything is in order. This feature gives you a reliable, structured starting point drawn directly from your model record, so your team spends less time assembling information and more time moving the model forward.

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