An Easy Guide to Capacity Assessment for National Human Rights Institutions 5. Conclusion – the benefits of capacity assessments to national human rights institutions NHRIs that have undertaken CAs have said that they benefit greatly from the process. They have ranked their participation in the CA process as relevant, effective and efficient with very high impact. They have listed the benefits of participation in a CA: • better understanding of current organisational and programming capacities • rigorous assessment of capacity needs • sound strategies and clear priorities for capacity building • more effective and evidence-based strategic planning • better understanding of the link between internal processes and externally oriented activities • better identification of the similarities and differences in perceptions of capacities and functioning across different units and levels of the NHRI • a focus on leadership and management, precipitating a review of decision making processes and on internal relationships • a new focus on training programmes • the development or review of standard operating procedures, manuals and guidelines • changes in human resources policies, including revisiting and clarifying roles and responsibilities • a strong analytical report that can assist in securing the support needed to implement the strategies • a baseline assessment of capacity that can be used to measure improvement and achievement over time • an additional means to improve its effectiveness • training for key NHRI personnel in CA and CD • the opportunity to lead CD for other NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region • a firm basis for international cooperation to assist NHRIs when they undertake institutional strengthening through CD. Many NHRIs have found CAs so valuable that they have sought to keep the information, analysis and strategising up to date, through a Capacity Assessment Review (CAR) or another CA. 19