Protocol 4.1: Conduct a self-assessment of the analysis

A self-assessment needs to be conducted at the end of all analyses to critically reflect on the extent to which the IPC protocols for Functions 1, 2 and 3 were followed and to identify areas for future improvements. To achieve this, the analysis team needs to complete the Self-Assessment Tool (Table 31). The Tool should be completed based on a collective discussion involving all analysis team members. To facilitate the discussion and completion of the tool, guiding questions are provided in Table 32. As an optional step, the tool can also be completed by individual analysis team members to provide feedback to the National Technical Working Group and/or Global Support Unit on the process and suggestions on how to improve future IPC analyses, tools, procedures, specific guidance and/or implementation processes.

The Tool serves two purposes:

  • To identify how well protocols have been followed. In the event that they have not been followed, the analysis team should revise the analysis to ensure adherence to all protocols and quality of the IPC products. If for some reason the protocols cannot be entirely adhered to, the analysis team should provide a reasonable explanation. Should the outcomes of the self-assessment raise serious concerns, an external quality review may be initiated.
  • When planning a new IPC analysis, the IPC Technical Working Group should reflect on the content of previous self–assessments to ensure that lessons learned in preceding analyses are applied.

Once completed by the analysis team, the Self-Assessment Tool should be submitted to the Global Support Unit either via the ISS (when it is used for the analysis) or via email ([email protected]).