#78: Your Accreditation Cycle Doesn't Start When You Think It Does

Description: When does an accreditation cycle actually begin—and when does it end? In this episode, Areaka breaks down how formal assessment dates define the cycle, why those dates can shift slightly from one cycle to the next, and how to think about annual requirements without overcomplicating the calendar. She also shares a simple PowerDMS quick win: naming the assessment with the actual cycle dates so assessors see that timeframe on every page and every standard. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to Accreditation Made Easy 00:48 – What exactly is an accreditation cycle? 01:49 – Initial accreditation versus the accreditation cycle 02:43 – When the new cycle actually begins 03:17 – A three-year cycle example 04:17 – Why accreditation is a cycle, not a one-time project 05:20 – Why a three-year cycle may not be exactly three calendar years 06:13 – Use your actual formal assessment dates 06:40 – Annual requirements do not have to follow your cycle dates 07:12 – Why January can make sense for annual reports 07:59 – Using the cycle as a management tool 08:24 – Helping others understand where you are in the cycle 09:17 – Quick win: Name your PowerDMS assessment with the cycle dates 10:18 – Why cycle dates help assessors during file review 10:40 – Rename your assessment using the actual cycle dates 11:07 – Companion document and closing thoughts Companion Document: Accreditation Cycle Connect with Areaka 🙋‍♀️ Digital Business Card 🌐 Website 🔗 LinkedIn 📘 Facebook 📸 Instagram Are You Signed Up to Get My Free Content? Sign Up for Free Weekly Accreditation Content You'll get access to a library inside YOUR PowerDMS of hundreds of Helpful Tips smartly organized into categories, along with new or updated content published every week.