 The use of flexible hydrological model structures for hypothesis testing requires an objective and diagnostic method to identify whether a rainfall runoff model structure is suitable for a certain catchment. We define performance as the ability of a model structure to mimic a specific part of the hydrology behavior in a specific catchment. Consistency is defined as the ability of a structure to adequately reproduce several hydrology graphic signatures simultaneously while using the same set of parameters. This article was authored by T user H.C. Winsemius, M. Hrakowicz and others.