Selfgranskning

Selfgranskning is a structured process in which an individual or organization evaluates its own activities, outputs, or decisions to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. It is used in quality management, governance, education, and public administration, and is distinct from external audits because the primary assessment is conducted internally. The term is commonly used in Swedish contexts and is closely related to the English concepts of self-review, self-assessment, or internal audit.

Process and methods: Selfgranskning follows a cycle of planning, data collection, analysis, action planning, and follow-up. Typical steps include defining scope and criteria, gathering evidence such as records and performance data, soliciting relevant feedback, comparing findings against standards, and proposing concrete improvements. Tools include checklists, self-audit forms, reflective journaling, process mapping, and, where appropriate, peer review.

Contexts and applications: In organizations it supports quality assurance and governance. In education, it helps teachers and institutions reflect on teaching and learning. In healthcare and public administration it can inform policy evaluation and service development. Selfgranskning is often used alongside external evaluations to provide context and drive continuous improvement.

Benefits and challenges: Potential benefits are increased transparency, accountability, learning, and ongoing improvement. Challenges include bias in self-assessment, resource demands, and difficulties in ensuring objectivity. Mitigation strategies include using standardized criteria, documenting procedures, incorporating external inputs when required, and aligning findings with regulatory or contractual requirements.

See also: internal audit, self-assessment, quality assurance.