Independent Assessment

An assessment conducted by individuals within the organization or company but independent from the work or process being evaluated, or by individuals from an external organization or company. (DOE G 414.1-1B)

Independent Assessments are objective, evidence-based, topic-specific evaluations conducted by topical subject matter experts (internal and external), performed for scheduled evaluation points and as-needed in response to risk observations. Independent Assessments will include whole-project assessments with specific element quality reviews on cost, schedule, scope, and other lines of inquiry, and the resulting risks. To be independent, Independent Assessments must be conducted by individuals that have no line management or policy-making responsibilities or authorities over the Covered Project. The scope and cost of an Independent Assessment will vary according to the specifics of individual projects. The primary purpose of performing Independent Assessments is to inform project management oversight. Independent Assessments should follow robust, standardized procedures developed and documented by the executing Departmental Element. Independent Assessments may be conducted on Covered Projects in two ways: (1) internal Independent Assessments, where Departmental Elements conduct Independent Assessments on their own Covered Projects; OR (2) Independent Assessments by OCED, where OCED conducts Independent Assessments on Covered Projects.