Chapter 9: Finalise an inquiry plan KEY QUESTIONS • Why is planning important? • What should an inquiry plan include? • Should the inquiry begin with a clear timetable? 9.1. THE NEED FOR THOROUGH PLANNING Thorough planning is necessary before the public work of the inquiry begins, that is, before the inquiry is even launched. Planning should address all the relevant matters relating to the conduct of the inquiry. It should ensure that the methodology is clear, the timetable is achievable and the products are known. The inquiry plan is not merely a planning document but a strategic document that sets out how the inquiry will achieve its objectives. The scoping paper preceded the decision to proceed with a national inquiry. It raised issues and set out options. It enabled the NHRI to take the biggest decision, the decision to undertake an inquiry. It also enabled the NHRI to make many subsequent decisions about what the inquiry will address and how. As a result, it has been possible to define the objectives, draft the terms of reference, appoint the Inquiry Commissioners and key staff, prepare a budget and secure the necessary resources. Having reached that point, the inquiry team takes over and prepares a detailed plan for the conduct of the inquiry. The plan is the blueprint or the roadmap for the whole inquiry – for the Inquiry Commissioners and staff and for people outside the NHRI who will want or need to be involved with it. It should provide everything that everyone will need to know about how the inquiry will proceed so that they are able to prepare and play their parts in it. Internally, the plan will keep the inquiry on track, on time and within budget. A national inquiry will build expectations and develop significant momentum. The plan will keep the inquiry team firmly focused on what has to be done. It is finalised: • after the terms of reference are adopted, so that it can be directed towards fulfilling them • after Inquiry Commissioners have been appointed, because they are responsible for the conduct of the inquiry and for the implementation of the plan and so should approve and own the plan • concurrently with the preparation of the budget, because the budget has to reflect the plan and the plan has to reflect the budget. Externally, the plan will tell those outside the NHRI what the inquiry will do and how it will be done. It will assist them to understand what they can contribute, how they can contribute and when they can contribute so that they can prepare themselves and be ready for their participation at the appropriate time. The plan also promotes transparency and accountability in the inquiry’s work. Chapter 9: Finalise an inquiry plan | 39