  Auditors demand financial models be transparent yet no consensus exists on
what that means precisely. Without a clear modeling transparency definition we
cannot know when our models are "transparent". The financial modeling community
debates which methods are more or less transparent as though transparency is a
quantifiable entity yet no measures exist. Without a transparency measure
modelers cannot objectively evaluate methods and know which improves model
transparency.
  This paper proposes a definition for spreadsheet modeling transparency that
is specific enough to create measures and automation tools for auditors to
determine if a model meets transparency requirements. The definition also
provides modelers the ability to objectively compare spreadsheet modeling
methods to select which best meets their goals.
