Systems Appraisal

The Systems Appraisal complements the intensive work embodied in the Action Projects by asking the institution to take stock of its overall systems for maintaining quality. It is also the lead-in for the next round of Action Projects. See the AQIP-Baldrige Option for more information about options for experienced AQIP institutions.

The Systems Appraisal Process

Appraisals consist of two stages: independent review and consensus review. By including two distinct stages, the Commission ensures consistent Systems Appraisals, making sure judgments represent the shared consensus of all Systems Appraisers. AQIP designates a leader for each Systems Appraisal who makes assignments based on each reviewer's expertise.

Appraisers may look at the institution’s Web site, but institutions are not expected to prepare additional materials (e.g., appendices) beyond the Systems Portfolio. If the Appraisers have serious questions that require clarification or verification, they communicate these to the Systems Appraisal leader or to AQIP staff, who may contact the institution to obtain clarification.

The Appraisal Feedback Report

The AQIP Systems Appraisal is a consistent, cost-effective process designed to provide an AQIP institution with professional feedback representing the consensus view of a team of educators and others experienced in continuous quality improvement and systems thinking. The process begins when an institution submits its Systems Portfolio for review, and ends twelve weeks later with the delivery of a Systems Appraisal Feedback Report that includes three components: a Critical Characteristics Analysis, which shows the institution how the team understood its distinctive mission, context, and goals; Category Feedback on each of the nine AQIP Categories, identifying what the team sees as the institution’s strengths and opportunities for improvement; and a Strategic and Accreditation Issues Analysis, in which the team identifies what it views as the highest strategic priorities for the institution’s future. In addition, the team will provide the institution with a potentially publishable Appraisal Summary that captures the team’s appraisal of the institution’s developmental maturity on each of the nine AQIP Categories.