A cell is modeled for use in an integrated circuit design by characterizing the cell based on an input of the cell being driven by a characterization driver having a specified drive strength. A model of the cell is generated which stores an identifier of the characterization driver in association with an identifier of the input. The cell model is then utilized to determine if an actual driver of the input of the cell in the integrated circuit design has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver, and if the actual driver has a drive strength which is less than that of the characterization driver an indicator of this condition is generated. The indicator may, for example, prompt selection of a different driver to replace the actual driver in the integrated circuit design.