What practice supports transparency when determining an overall Needs Met assessment?

• A. Do not disclose how the overall synthesis was formed
• B. Use the latest data to fill gaps without noting sources
• C. Combine domains only when non-critical; ignore critical domains
• D. Maintain transparency by documenting the method and sources used to assemble the overall assessment

Answer: (D)

Transparency in an overall Needs Met assessment comes from making the process visible: you show exactly how the overall synthesis was formed and what data fed it. When you document both the method used to combine domains and the sources behind each piece of evidence, you provide a clear audit trail that others can review, critique, and replicate. This clarity helps reveal any assumptions, biases, or gaps, and strengthens trust in the result. By contrast, not disclosing how the synthesis was formed, or using new data without noting sources, or ignoring critical domains would obscure the reasoning, undermine credibility, and reduce the usefulness of the assessment. Thus, maintaining transparency by documenting the method and sources used to assemble the overall assessment is the best approach.