ennakkotarkastelun

Ennakkotarkastelu, literally “preliminary inspection,” is a Finnish term referring to a preliminary inspection or pre-review conducted to identify issues or gaps before a more detailed evaluation or proceeding. Its purpose is to assess eligibility, completeness, feasibility, and compliance to reduce risks and streamline subsequent steps.

The word is formed from ennakko- meaning pre- and tarkastus meaning inspection or audit. The genitive form ennakkotarkastelun is used in phrases describing the process or its outputs, such as "ennakkotarkastelun tulokset" (the results of the preliminary inspection). The concept is used across several Finnish contexts, including public administration, procurement, construction, and research funding.

Contexts where ennakkotarkastelu is applied vary by sector. In public procurement, authorities often conduct ennakkotarkastelu of bid documents to ensure they meet legal and procedural requirements before full evaluation. In construction or urban planning, a preliminary document review may check conformity with zoning, safety, and environmental rules. In research funding, proposals may undergo ennakkotarkastelu to verify completeness, eligibility, and alignment with guidelines. In data or information management, a pre-inspection can assess data quality and compliance with safeguards before use in analysis.

Typical outcomes of ennakkotarkastelu include a go/no-go decision to proceed to the main evaluation, a request for revisions or additional information, or, in some cases, rejection at an early stage. The process helps allocate resources efficiently and maintain standards across activities.