Technical Review Methodology

Independent technical reviews of policy impact assessments supporting learning the improvement of assessments over time. They also enhance transparency and trust in the implementation of policies, and the reporting of their impacts.

The Technical Review Methodology helps policymakers and technical experts engage in productive reviews that enhance policy assessments.

The methodology is applicable to impact assessments that have followed the key recommendations approach. It provides guidance for planning and conducting technical reviews.

It outlines three different approaches for review:

First party: The review is carried out by a government agency – either the agency that implemented the policy and/ or conducted the impact assessment, or a different government agency.
Second party: The review is performed by a person or organization that has an interest in, or affiliation with, the government agency.
Third party: The review is carried out by a person or organization that is independent of the government agency in terms of commercial, financial and legal interests.

Executive summary