Start with a simple load case whose response can be estimated by hand. Check mesh connectivity, material units, and constrained degrees of freedom before introducing nonlinear behavior. Inspect reaction forces and convergence information along with stress plots, and compare mesh refinements so attractive contours do not conceal an under-resolved or incorrectly constrained model.
This is best suited to engineers evaluating structural finite-element models. Before committing a larger project, account for these trade-offs: model preparation requires expertise; complex cases need convergence and compatibility checks.
