Inspection cycle in brief
The structure can best be explained by first focussing on the Strategic cycle. The strategic cycle are for the managers.
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The first step here is Describing the context. Here we identify and describe the information that is needed to set the right priorities (step 2) and define our objectives and strategies (step 3). Based on these 3 steps we can prepare the inspection plan.
In the operational cycle we see a Plan Do Check Act Cycle (PDCA). First step is preparing an inspection plan (see strategic cycle above). Based on this plan we make sure all conditions are met to execute this work (Execution Framework). Next step is the execution of the inspection, compliance assessment or enforcement. Last step is performance monitoring. Here we check if the inspection targets that are formulated in the plan are met and if we need to make changes in the Planning step.
In the step Inspection, compliance assessment and Enforcement the actual work is executed ()actual inspection work (preparation, executions and reporting). Although the steps in this part could be linear (with a clear beginning and an end) in many cases inspection work for a certain object will never stop. This can be because a non-compliance is identified but also because the IED prescribes a certain frequency (based on risk) after which the object needs to be inspected again.
The target groups we address in part 3 are:
- Strategic inspection cycle: Managers
- Operational inspection cycle: Inspector and managers
- Inspection, Compliance Assessment and Enforcement: Inspectors
It’s of course expected from an inspector to understand what is happening in the strategic part.