The Verification Oversight Organization (VOO) oversees the quality and integrity of the verification process. They do this by conducting a thorough Verifier selection process and Quality Assurance (QA) activities.
The VOO manages the Verifier Body (VB) and Verifier selection process. The VOO has criteria to pre-select candidate Verifiers, who then need to follow training and pass an exam to demonstrate skill and experience. The VOO also applies scoring to assess VB and Verifier performance. The following sources of data on Verifier performance are used to calculate the Verifier Score:
- Verifier exam scores (in absence of QA data)
- Desktop Review outcomes
- Counter Verification outcomes
- Shadow Verification outcomes
- Facility feedback
- Brand/report user feedback
- Disputes
Each Verifier is assigned a score (all scores are from 0 to 5). VB scoring is an accumulation of the individual Verifier Scores. Other information relating to VB quality may also be included such as complaints received. The VOO shares the overall VB score as well as individual Verifier scores with each VB separately through a VB dashboard. VB dashboards are private, the public Quality Assurance Dashboard gives aggregated information on VB scores and other QA performance indicators.
To assess quality after verification, the VOO uses a mix of Quality Assurance activities (i.e., desktop reviews, shadow/counter/duplicate verifications, VB management checks). Outcomes feed into VB and Verifier scoring and, in the worst case scenario, can lead to invalidation of a report and/or suspension of a VB/Verifier. Moreover, QA activities offer valuable insights into SLCP system user behavior; application of the SLCP Converged Assessment Framework (CAF); and the workings of the Gateway and Accredited Host platforms. QA learnings have resulted and continue to result in numerous system and process improvements. More information about QA activities in the Quality Assurance Manual.
At present, the Verification Oversight Organization (VOO) is Sumerra. Contact them by sending an email to slcp@sumerra.com.