4 The Planning Cycle

In sections 3.2 to 3.5 we gave a description of the four steps that form the planning cycle.

Identifying the scope is part of box 1a "Describing the context".

This element is about identifying the areas and activities that should be looked at in the further stages of the planning process and sets the scope of the inspection plan. Together with the element "information gathering" (section 4.3) it provides the input for the risk assessment.

4.3 Information gathering

Risk assessment is part of box 1b "Setting priorities" and involves analysing and determining the risks (this includes expert opinion).

Risk is defined here in a broad sense: it includes any factor an authority wants to take into account when assigning priorities. It may be an environmental risk, a social or economic risk, a compliance risk etc.

Ranking, classification and priorities is part of box 1b "Setting priorities".

This element represents the output of the risk assessment with which we can set the priorities. It should be noted that in some systems this step is included in the assessment method itself (as a software tool) and not seen as a separate step as in this guidance book.

Objectives and measurable targets are part of box 1c "Defining objectives and strategies".

The priorities that we have set in the previous chapter tell us what activities/installation need our attention. Having set these priorities it is now time to define the objectives and targets. The objectives that we define here should not be confused with the overall objectives (and goals) that inspecting authorities have to take into account as part of the context (Section 4.2) and are input for the risk assessment.

Strategies are part of box 1c "Defining objectives and strategies".

Inspection plan is part of box 1d "Planning and review"

In this step of the planning cycle the information that is assessed and developed in step 1a, 1b and 1c will now find its place within a document (s), the inspection plan. The inspection plan is not only for internal use, it also available for public and therefore gives justification of what and how the inspecting authority is dealing with her responsibilities. Most elements in this chapter are obligations from the RMCEI, and all of them are to be considered as good practice.

Review and revision are part of box 1c "Planning and review".