This dimension concerns the human resources needed to support an effective parliament. It only includes non-partisan staff under the management of the parliamentary administration, not political staff supporting individual MPs and political groups.

Human resource management includes building institutional capacity for sustained and enhanced performance. The comprehensive development and training of staff is therefore important for the parliamentary administration to be able to meet the needs of parliament in the longer term.

This dimension concerns the existence of a parliamentary administration, as well as its mandates, powers, governance and responsibilities. 

For reasons of effectiveness and capacity, it is important that the parliamentary administration be separate from, and operate independently of, the executive. Likewise, the parliamentary administration should be able to recruit and manage its staff, and organize its day-to-day work, without political influence.

This dimension concerns the provisions on the establishment and functioning of cross-party groups. Cross-party groups provide an important forum for MPs from different parties to share information, discuss policy issues, channel common concerns and engage with relevant organizations.  

This dimension concerns the provisions establishing that MPs are entitled to form political groups within parliament in order to coordinate their activities and achieve shared political goals. The members of a political group typically belong to the same party.

The rules on political groups, including on their formation, on the privileges granted such groups, and on the rights of MPs not belonging to any political group (i.e. independent MPs), vary from parliament to parliament.

This dimension concerns the provisions on the powers, functions, composition, governance and procedures of parliamentary committees. A comprehensive system of committees provides accountability and efficiency while ensuring systematic engagement with the public.

This dimension concerns the provisions defining the composition and mandate of the collective governing body of parliament (the “presidium”). The presidium is typically responsible for organizing the work of parliament, coordinating the work of committees, drafting the agenda for plenary sessions, and deciding on other operational issues of importance.

This dimension concerns the mandate, role, functions and duties of the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. , whose primary responsibility is to facilitate orderly and m

This dimension concerns the arrangements for plenary sessions. Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. ’s most important law-making and oversight work is done in the plenary. It is usually where the highest-ranking State officials, such as presidents and prime ministers, are heard.

This dimension concerns the process by which parliament may be dissolved in order to allow for new elections to take place. The legal framework should stipulate all powers and arrangements for the dissolution of parliament. The power to dissolve parliament is highly dependent on the structure of government and the powers vested in both the executive and parliament.

This dimension concerns parliamentary record-keeping, which is critical to institutional sustainability. Records should include evidence of the formal decisions and proceedings of parliament, and a direct transcript of all MP deliberations and votes, daily proceedings, statements, and questions for the record, as well as any other business conducted in plenary. They should also include documents presented to the chamber and copies of proposals for laws and motions tabled for debate.