Evaluation and improvement of mission and task performance is the final step of the Preparedness Cycle. This step is crucial to informing risk assessments, managing vulnerabilities, allocating resources and informing the other elements of the Cycle. Organizations develop improvement plans and track corrective actions to address the capabilities identified in plans and tested in exercises or real events. In addition to corrective actions, assessment initiatives such as the State Preparedness Reports and the FEMA-administered Gap Analysis tool provide the means to evaluate a state or territory's operational preparedness. Using this data to reassess and revise plans and protocols contributes to the beginning of the next Preparedness Cycle by ensuring that updated strategies and plans can be used to inform new preparedness-building activities.

Corrective Action Program and System

The Corrective Action Program (CAP) provides a standard methodology for handling corrective actions and improvement plans. The CAP System is a web-based application that enables users to prioritize, track and analyze improvement plans developed from exercises and real-world events.

Lessons Learned Information Sharing

Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS) is the national network of Lessons Learned and Best Practices for emergency response providers and homeland security officials.

Emergency Management Accreditation Program

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) is a standard-based, voluntary assessment and accreditation process for state and local government programs responsible for coordinating prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities for natural and human-caused disasters.