Urvalsgrunnur

Urvalsgrunnur, or úrvalsgrunnur in Icelandic, translates to "selection basis" and refers to the framework of criteria and rules used to evaluate and choose among candidates, bids, proposals, or other options in a competitive process. It is a formal document or set of guidelines that defines what is being evaluated, how it will be measured, and how decisions are to be made. The purpose is to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability, and to provide a clear basis for decision-makers to justify outcomes.

In practice, a urvalsgrunnur typically specifies eligibility criteria (such as minimum qualifications or legal requirements), objective measures (test scores, GPA, price, delivery time), and qualitative criteria (experience, relevance, quality, sustainability). It may assign weights to different criteria and outline the scoring method, thresholds for eligibility, and the procedural steps from publication to decision. The process often includes an assessment by an evaluation committee, ranking of candidates or bids, and a mechanism for appeal or review.

Common contexts include university admissions and scholarships, recruitment or trainee programs, public procurement and tender evaluation, and grant or funding decisions. While the exact content of a urvalsgrunnur varies by sector and jurisdiction, the underlying principle is to provide a transparent, reproducible basis for selection, enabling stakeholders to understand how conclusions were reached and to challenge them if necessary.

Etymology: from Icelandic urvals- "selection" + grunnur "basis".