A method and system for reducing a number of links in a Bayesian network. A first modified Bayesian network based on a primary Bayesian network that has a plurality of links is generated, wherein the first modified Bayesian network does not include a first subset of the plurality of links. A second modified Bayesian network based on the primary Bayesian network is generated, wherein the second modified Bayesian network does not include a second subset of the plurality of links. The first modified Bayesian network and the second modified Bayesian network are validated using a first data set to generate a first validation result and a second validation result. The primary Bayesian network is substituted with the first modified Bayesian network or the second modified Bayesian network based on the first validation result and the second validation result.