ABSTRACT
Meaningful assessment begins with a high-level description or overview of the institution, department, or program and the context in which the unit operates. The overview includes descriptions of the mission, structure, personnel, major programs and services, and key constituencies. It also includes an inventory of peers and competitors, leaders in the field, major recommendations from previous internal or external assessments, and key challenges and opportunities facing the organization. Assembling and formatting this information into a brief summary document is a very useful exercise as a part of the preparation for a review. The resulting overview is a helpful background document for the organization itself, for individuals outside the organization who may be participating in the review, and for those who will be interested in the final outcomes of the review process.
