National Preventive Mechanism on-site, is reasonable and expedient. It must be possible to maintain a free and unobstructed view of occurring tendencies, as well as to be able to react quickly and flexibly to acute situations. Coordinated procedures “Harmonised procedures”: The preparation, carrying out and follow-up of visits by the commissions is based on a jointly coordinated methodology. This is helpful for both delegation teams assembled from across the commissions and for the further development of monitoring processes that can be compared across Austria. The intention is to counteract the obstacles and problems that arise from federalist structures in similar types of institutions by way of monitoring procedures and assessment standards that are as uniform as possible Austria-wide, notwithstanding any necessary regional priorities. Traceable and welldocumented results of monitoring “Documentation”: The effectiveness of improvements or elimination of structural problems, which have been identified and detected, depends largely on factors such as specificity, traceability and the reliability of the source(s). The work is guided by the principle of delivering a simple and un-bureaucratic but also a substantive and fact-oriented documentation of the monitoring findings. It should enable an assessment based on human rights and comply with the international principles that have been developed for this type of documentation. Additionally, simple impressions and provisional assessments can subsequently have certain relevance, in particular for the definition of follow-up visits or monitoring priorities. “Communication”: The intensive and ongoing sharing of experience within the individual components of the NPM is of essential importance. Communication that is direct and based on trust promotes the joint work and makes it easier. Likewise, ongoing sharing of ideas and experience between the AOB and the commissions regarding the progress or the obstacles in their day-to-day work and in the political process is important; the AOB endeavours to participate in and to have the opportunity for discussions in all the regional governments. Ongoing further development “Continuing education”: Ongoing information about international developments, offerings of special training and relevant specialist literature further support the development of joint monitoring and control activities, which must also be seen in the light of the expectation towards the Austrian National Human Rights Institution – which is also the headquarters of the IOI – in terms of following and sharing best practices. “Advisory functions”: A target-oriented and efficient interaction in the advisory process with the Human Rights Advisory Council is a joint responsibility of the NPM. Consulting on the “establishment of general monitoring priorities” and the submission of suggestions on “ensuring uniform procedures and investigative standards” are included in the area of competence of the Human Rights Advisory Council. This also supports the harmonisation of procedures. 96