ATO Audit and Assessment Programs  Section 7  7.1.6  Independent Assessments  AJI performs independent assessments to evaluate operational procedures, order compliance,  fielded systems, and safety benefits. An AJI independent assessment is independent of the  program office or operating service responsible for the program or operation. Independent  assessments are post-implementation evaluations of NAS changes that assess actual  performance.  During independent assessments, the teams verify that any previously documented hazards  were rated accurately (based on observed data) and that no unacceptable safety risks exist. In  addition, teams may identify operational issues and other findings.  Independent assessments may involve several facility or program assessments over a long  period of time, one assessment that lasts for an extended period of time, or multiple brief  assessments. The processes and procedures for an independent assessment are tailored  according to its duration and the complexity of the operation or program being assessed. The  assessment may be conducted at one or multiple sites, and data may be collected on site or  remotely. Results and/or recommendations are based on the assessment team’s analysis of  data collected during and, if applicable, before the assessment. The conclusions and  recommendations are independent from external sources.  100 7.1_SMSM_201509 Originally published September 2015 Uncontrolled copy when downloaded