2009-09 - IRI Portugal - FINAL REPORT - IMPEL

6. Lessons learned from the Review Process
The following observations may be helpful for the organisation and conduct of future IRI
Reviews:
• The value of the pre-review meeting, and of having information about
institutional and legal matters well in advance of the review, was very useful.
The newly developed, shorter IRI questionnaire functioned well in general. The
incorporation of the Environmental Inspection Cycle from the Doing the right
things Guidance Book helped structure the discussions. This is valuable input for
producing the final IRI questionnaire within the framework of the review of the
IRI.
• There was an active participation of all the review team members. This
contributed to getting a full, balanced picture.
• It is important for review team members to have a helicopter view. They should
be able to put themselves in the position of the organisation which is being
reviewed. Review team members should ask for the reasons or motives behind
organisational structures rather than trying to obtain very detailed information.
• Presentations given by the host are good for structure and should be encouraged
for the future.
• The review team leader led the discussions and frequently summarised the areas
of good practice and opportunities for development. He acted first and for all as
panel chairman, encouraging and stimulating all other review team members to
actively take part in the discussions. This practice should be encouraged.
• Copies of any presentations are invaluable to the rapporteur.
• The involvement of the next member state, in this case Slovenia, to perform an
IRI was very useful. This enabled the group to openly discuss ways to improve
the IRI process and provided the opportunity for the member state in question
to raise issues and understand what would be required during their IRI.
38