The best way to move forward with the most effective human resource system possible is to take a thorough look at what your business is doing today. Human resource assessments involve a company's action to take an objective look at its HR policies, procedures and practices. This type of comprehensive review of the company's current state can help to identify whether specific practice areas or processes are adequate, legal and/or effective. The results obtained from this review can help to identify gaps in HR practices. These gaps can then be prioritized for attention in an effort to achieve and maintain a strong competitiveness in key HR practice areas and also to mitigate legal compliance issues and exposure to lawsuits.