Issues with A&V Units in the Oil and Gas Sector

Qualification Verification Standardisation: Decision Log

The Qualification Verification Standardisation Decision Log provides a mechanism for capturing the agreements made between members of the same verification group (those tasked with verifying the same unit/qualification evidence).

Each Verification Group member will have permanent access to the group’s Decision Logs. The record can be updated at anytime by the Senior Verifier as long as agreement from all group members are obtained through for example face to face meetings, audio or video conferencing, web-based forums or email communication.

The overall purpose of the Decision Log is to ensure that all verifiers have access to all of the key Verification Group decisions held on one continuous record.

The benefits of using a Standardisation Decision Log

The main benefits are:

 New members joining the verification group get up to speed more quickly on the main issues as they can see all of the past decisions the group has made on one record.  New decisions can be added to the record when required without a physical meeting having to take place, ensuring a more timely consistent agreement is achieved for more urgent items.  All main decisions relating to verifying a qualification(s) are in one place and therefore an effective as one-stop-shop reference point for group members and SQA staff.  The Decision Log places an important focus on standardisation reached by QV Group member agreement – promoting cross-group consistency.

What types of decisions will be documented?

The record should not just reiterate that which exists already i.e. quotes from SQA or SSC Guidance/Publications as this would be duplication of effort. It can however justifiably relate to specific guidance/publications as a way of providing additional support and/or clarification.

The record serves two main purposes, all involving gaining group consensus in order to clarify:

 interpretation of standards/evidence requirements/outcomes, guidance and support materials for assessment  issues connected with making accurate, reliable and valid assessment decisions

For further guidance, refer to the Example Qualification Verification Standardisation Decision Logs.