1. In or for an estimation system operable for receiving input values for successive time trials and, for each time trial, computing output values based on the input values and learned parameters and updating the learned parameters to reflect relationships observed among the input and output values, an analyzer operable for performing the steps of: (a) receiving historical data comprising samples of the input and output values for a plurality of time trials; (b) receiving a set of model reduction configuration parameters including specifications for a statistical model that may be implemented by the estimation system; (c) activating the estimation system to run the historical data on the statistical model to compute the output values and the learned parameters for the statistical model; (d) analyzing the learned parameters to identify input values that are ineffective for estimating the output values; (e) reducing the size of the model by eliminating the ineffective input values.