The paper focuses on the assessment of so-called complete solutions for the problem of diffuse necking in sheet metal. The assessment is based on a virtual tensile test generated with the aid of a finite element model using a reference strain hardening behavior. The resulting displacement fields within the diffuse neck are then used to numerically deform a speckle pattern. Subsequently, the deformed images are post-processed using DIC software to acquire displacement fields and strain fields. The identification of the strain hardening behavior is based on the virtual force-elongation curve, the displacement fields and associated strain fields within the diffuse neck.