The CCs of both chambers commission the PCA to carry out evaluations and at the same time also notify the Federal Council of the subject. They determine which of the sub-committees​ is responsible for the evaluation.

The PCA familiarises itself with the subject and takes up contact with the relevant federal agencies. It produces a project outline generally consisting of a number of proposals for investigations. The relevant sub-committee of the CC then decides which proposals should be pursued. From this point on until the evaluation report has been submitted to the sub-committee, the PCA conducts its work independently.

The PCA prepares an investigation concept in which it sets out the questions to be examined, the assessment criteria and the methodology and draws up a detailed timetable and plan of resources.

In order to gather the necessary data the PCA contacts the relevant federal agencies directly (information, documentation etc.). The PCA has wide-ranging rights to information, which can also be conferred on any experts it commissions to act on its behalf.

The PCA compiles the results of the evaluation in a confidential draft report which it presents to the relevant federal agencies for comment. Once it has been revised the PCA submits the completed report to the relevant CC sub-committee.

The relevant CC sub-committee then draws its own conclusions from the PCA evaluation which it presents in its own report, and if necessary formulates recommendations for the Federal Council. The CC publishes the PCA report along with its conclusions and recommendations unless it contains information deemed to be sensitive.