We ask museums who have recently completed reviews for advice and tips to share with other museums preparing for, or engaged in, the accreditation review process. Here are some of the responses:

• Take the planning and preparation process seriously.
• Keep a sense of humor and perspective so that the process is enjoyable, as well as being beneficial
• Have one strong management team member lead the process, but with full participation of all staff and Board, supported from the top.
• Delegate responsibilities to teams if you can so that the work can be shared by all the staff.
• Answer assessment truthfully for the best return on the report, transparency.
• Staff needs to be fully involved and engaged with entire process.
• Don't be afraid of the process and be honest about your institution's problems and shortcomings. The Committee is there to help you.
• Have a full staff meeting before the study begins to explain what the study is, why it is important, and what it will entail. Have a second meeting with department heads and describe what each of their departments are responsible for and have each assign appropriate staff to complete sections. Meet with staff assigned to complete study and go over questions and what is expected. Give timelines for completion and stick to them.
• Keep your strategic plans and policies current at all times. Don't wait to do this every 10 years.
• Understand that the process is designed to empower and uplift institutions, not judge or punish.
• Accreditation really is about you and your institution- it's not about pleasing or appeasing the Accreditation Commission or staff. You and your institution will get out of it only as much as you put into it.
• Involve the staff. A careful and thoughtful completion of the self study process is too massive for one person to do in a vacuum. The more staff at all levels are involved and informed, the more they will embrace and support the review, and the more they and the institution will take away.
• Pace yourself. There will always be the last minute crunch of finishing enclosures for the checklist. However, waiting until a month or two prior to the deadline before beginning the self study will negate the value of working through the issues and concerns that need to be addressed which the self study will help to identify.
• Remember that accreditation is not an adversarial process. It is something that a museum volunteers to undergo, and the staff and commission really are there to help, as well as to maintain and enforce standards. There should never be any "surprises" for the museum throughout the entire process, since the expectations are made very clear at the beginning.
• Clear your calendars! Scale down your events and exhibitions calendar slightly during the time you'll be completing the self-study. Make sure all staff are prepared to do their part and understand the importance of what the museum is preparing to undertake.
• Keep the Board informed. Involve the Board and its committees from the outset. The Board will gain a better understanding of the museum, and governing members will have a greater personal investment and interest when the site visit occurs.
• Read the materials sent very closely on the accreditation process and follow each step to the letter.
• Be very thorough in your data gathering and have more than one person review and provide comments on the material to be submitted.
• Set up a team to cover the visit and have things ready so the peer team can hit the ground running and have more time to review your processes instead of being tied up with administrative details. Accept the fact that the team really is here to help you but there are going to be findings which will only help you make your Museum better and accept those in the spirit they are given. This process when completed will benefit your organization for years to come no matter what management team is in charge.