It represents the simplest concept of assessment and continuous improvement. To illustrate this point, picture an imaginary solid line of learning that extends into infinity, then impose a round black dot on that line. Then impose another round black dot somewhere on the continuum beyond the original assessment point. Assessment Assessment is not an end in and of itself, but rather a strategic tool for continuous improvement. Assessment is a process whose power is cumulative.
Assessment can be an isolated snapshot to monitor the pulse of the operation or organization.
However, continuous improvement is more effective when it entails a connected series of assessment activities undertaken over time. Assessment places the importance of monitoring the progress toward the intended goals, in the pursuit of continuous improvement. Assessment, therefore, is an effective vehicle that collects data, can be collated into information, then extrapolated into knowledge, transformed into understanding, and finally conveyed as wisdom. Assessment recognizes the value of information in the process of continuous improvement. For this to be useful, the data must be connected to the issues that people really care about as well as the elements of the organization that need change.