Nov 28, 2025 | Eva Rybárová | Follow-up Peer Review
At the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic (SAO SR), the recent follow-up peer review conducted by GAO US, NAO Finland, SAO Hungary and SAO Poland in 2024 has been an invaluable catalyst for reflection and improvement. Drawing on the insights and recommendations of the peer review team, we have fundamentally strengthened our approach to strategic management and performance evaluation.
A key outcome of this process has been the establishment of a comprehensive system of measurable performance indicators implemented across the entire office. This system is designed to ensure horizontal and vertical coherence of goals, indicators, and outputs, enabling us to align activities and outcomes at each organizational level. Crucially, we have linked the daily activities of employees directly to the specific fulfilment of clearly defined performance frameworks. This integrated framework allows us to measure our own performance rigorously, identify areas for improvement, and drive accountability throughout the organization.
Building on the foundation of our 2023 – 2025 development strategy – which focuses on people, processes, communication, and finances through clearly articulated objectives and metrics – we have expanded these efforts significantly in setting our new strategic framework for the period 2026 – 2030, formally established in November 2025. This new strategy reflects a more dynamic and responsive approach to performance monitoring that incorporates international best practices and continuous learning.
The peer review also affirmed the value of our quality assurance system and guided enhancements such as deepening cross-cutting quality assessments and formalizing audit leaders’ reporting on remedial actions. Embedding these robust feedback loops into our quality framework further ensures that performance data translates into meaningful improvements and targeted training. Moving forward, we are exploring ways to integrate systematic external stakeholder feedback to enrich our insights and elevate audit quality even further.
Moreover, recommendations to enhance engagement with the National Council of the Slovak Republic have reinforced our commitment to multi-channel communication and adaptive planning approaches. Encouraged by the review, we aim to expand outreach to newly elected Members of Parliament and increase strategic dialogue frequency, strengthening these essential relationships.
Overall, the follow-up peer review has catalysed important advancements in how we connect strategic planning, quality assurance, and communications. The measurable indicator system and the coherent alignment of employee activities with performance frameworks form the backbone of our new strategy and institutional capacity-building. We recognize that continuous openness to external perspectives and adaptive capacity are essential to institutional evolution—principles exemplified by the peer review process.
Looking ahead, SAO SR will build on these foundations by refining performance data analysis, broadening quality monitoring, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. By embracing the peer review’s guidance and the system we have put in place, we are confident in our ability to deliver impactful audits that support good governance in Slovakia and provide valuable insights for other SAIs committed to excellence.
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