Selvgranskning

Selvgranskning refers to the process by which a person or organization evaluates its own work, processes and outcomes. The term appears in several Nordic languages as a synonym for self-assessment or internal audit and is distinct from external audits performed by third parties. The purpose is to promote accountability, identify improvement opportunities and enable evidence-based decision-making.

Typical features include setting standards or criteria, collecting and reviewing evidence, documenting findings, and developing action plans. A self-granskning cycle often follows a structured framework such as PDCA (plan-do-check-act) or ISO-based self-assessment guides. The process emphasizes transparency, record-keeping, and periodic reassessment.

Applications span quality management, safety and compliance, financial controls, education, and public administration. In corporate governance, internal control self-assessments assess the effectiveness of controls and risk management; in education, schools may perform self-evaluations of curricula and teaching quality; in public services, agencies use selvgranskning to verify policy implementation and service delivery.

Benefits include cost savings, faster feedback, and greater ownership among staff. Potential drawbacks are the risk of bias, incomplete evidence, or overly favorable conclusions without independent verification. To mitigate this, many organizations couple selvgranskning with external audits, independent reviews, or governance oversight, and establish clear criteria, training, and documentation standards.