Description: This article explores strategies for optimizing actuarial models built on open system platforms. It begins by contrasting open and closed system modeling environments, emphasizing that users of open systems must take responsibility for in-house runtime optimization. The authors underscore the critical role that efficient, well-optimized models play in supporting a high-performing modeling team. To reinforce the techniques discussed, the article includes a case study focused on disability insurance modeling to offer practical insights.

Description: This article explains the importance of centralizing modeling departments. It goes further and explains the importance of making all aspects of modeling reusable. It explains the consequences of decentralization.

Description: A personal account of how humor in the workplace improved productivity.

Description: The barrier between humans and machines continues to blur, but curiously, this may have been prediction thousands of years ago in ancient myths. This article looks to how some of the early legends are becoming manifest in modern technology, particularly in the area of elder care. From automation, to humanoid assistants, to mind clones will the age of technology bring a new utopia?

Description: CMS provides ACOs with monthly claims data for members, including their medical visits and ACO program eligibility. This data can be divided into Membership and Claims tables through the ETL process. However, when calculating PMPY at specific levels of detail using these tables, issues arise due to unrelated dimensions, leading to inaccurate and understated results. This article presents a solution to this problem by utilizing Tableau's data blending capabilities.

Description: This article introduces IT DevOps to actuaries and how it is applicable to them to improve their modeling efforts and make them more efficient.