yfirferðum

Yfirferð is an Icelandic noun referring to a thorough review, inspection, survey, or audit of a person, process, object, or system. The term conveys going over something in detail to assess its condition, compliance, performance, or quality, with the aim of identifying problems, risks, or opportunities for improvement.

The word combines yfir- meaning over or across and ferð, which can denote a journey or, in this context, a process of examination. Yfirferð is widely used across public administration, business, construction, health, education, and media to describe systematic evaluation or scrutiny. Depending on context, it can refer to financial audits, quality control checks, procedural reviews, or content and material examinations such as documents or plans.

Typical uses include phrases like yfirferð á fjárhagsáætlun (budget review), yfirferð á framleiðsluferlum (inspection of production processes), or yfirferð gagna (review of documents). The concept is closely related to, but distinct from, eftirlit (supervision), endurskoðun (re-audit or reevaluation), and skoðun (inspection or examination in a broader sense). Yfirferð is often carried out by internal teams within an organization or by external auditors or inspectors, and it may result in recommendations, corrective actions, or formal reports.

In Icelandic, yfirferðir is the common plural form; yfirferðum is one inflected form used in certain grammatical cases. The term is established in formal and informal usage to denote careful, structured evaluation aimed at ensuring accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.