forassessering

Forassessering is the preliminary evaluation conducted before a fuller or formal assessment, typically used to gather essential information that informs whether further evaluation is warranted, what its scope should be, and which methods are most appropriate. The term is most common in Norwegian and related contexts, but the concept appears in various forms across education, healthcare, planning, and research. The goal is to save resources by clarifying needs, risks, and feasibility early in a process.

The process generally involves clarifying purpose and criteria, identifying stakeholders and data sources, collecting baseline information, and synthesizing findings into a brief report. Outputs often include a scoping document, a baseline profile, and initial recommendations about whether to proceed with a full assessment, adjust objectives, or revise plans. The emphasis is on guiding decision-making rather than delivering final judgments.

Applications span multiple fields. In education, for example, it may diagnose prior knowledge and skill gaps at the start of a course. In healthcare, it can assess patient readiness for a treatment or procedure. In environmental and policy work, it serves as a scoping step before a formal impact assessment. In business and software development, it functions as a feasibility or screening activity to align with goals and resources.

Limitations include the risk of incomplete information and potential bias if stakeholders are not adequately represented. Forassessering is not a substitute for formal assessment, but a preparatory phase that supports more effective and efficient evaluations. It is closely related to scoping, screening, and feasibility studies.