Changes in this standard
Previous versions of this standard focused almost exclusively on monitoring through the conduct of visits to demining sites. Site visits remain an important quality management function, but this version reflects an up-to-date understanding of the wider scope and practice of monitoring in mine action and includes:
monitoring through the collection and analysis of information about the performance of mine action processes and products; and
application of monitoring principles and processes to all activities that come under the heading of mine action.
IMAS 09.20 relating to post-clearance inspection is withdrawn. This new version of IMAS 07.40 addresses the issue of monitoring of product performance for mine action in general and provides specific guidance on actions to check the quality of cleared land.
Monitoring and quality management
Monitoring is an essential element of any effective quality management system (QMS) as well as within strategic, operational, project, programme, safety, environmental and results-based management systems.
At the heart of quality management (QM) is the concept of continual improvement, captured in the Plan – Do – Check - Act cycle. Monitoring is integral to the ‘check’ stage of the cycle. Monitoring represents the primary means of ‘closing the loop’ to ensure that needs and opportunities for improvement are identified and addressed, and that authorities and managers have the information they need to take timely and effective, evidence-based decisions to support the achievement of strategic and operational objectives.
Definitions of monitoring emphasise that it is a continuing function, that it relies on systematic collection of data in relation to specified indicators, and that its purpose is to provide management with information about progress, achievement of objectives and compliance with policies and standards. Monitoring is also described as determining the status of a system, a process or an activity - what is to be monitored, the methods for monitoring, measurement and analysis, when monitoring should be performed and how results will be analysed and evaluated all need to be defined.
This standard addresses all aspects of establishing, implementing and using a mine action monitoring system.
Monitoring, Quality and Results-based Management (RBM)
QM focuses on the products and services delivered by mine action organisations. The results, outcomes and impacts associated with delivery of those products are equally important.
While this standard addresses the monitoring of processes and products, authorities are strongly encouraged to make use of similar principles to understand the extent to which mine action projects and programmes lead to desired results, outcomes and impacts. Donors increasingly want to understand the difference that their funds have made to the lives of beneficiaries, RBM provides a way to do this.
Using this standard
The main body of this standard sets out minimum requirements for a widely applicable mine action monitoring system. Additional detail about the conduct of visits to work sites and guidance on the implementation of post-clearance sampling is provided in the Annexes. Further advice and guidance, aimed at providing field implementers with information that helps them plan and implement standards-compliant projects, may be found in relevant Technical Notes for Mine Action (TNMAs).