Benchmarking

What is benchmarking?

Benchmarking is the process of measuring and comparing the performance of your organisation against another organisation that is recognised as a leader in that field.  Benchmarking should fundamentally be treated as an on-going structured approach to improving your organisation’s performance and not a one-off measure. The aim is to create a learning experience, where best practice can be incorporated within your organisation.

How do I benchmark?

To implement a benchmarking programme, you must first identify your organisation’s strengths and areas for improvement; this will help you determine which areas you would like to benchmark in.  Once you have identified an area that you wish to focus on, the next stage is to gather information and data about how other best-in-class organisations tackle this issue. Quality Scotland’s Online Resources can help in the following manner:

• BPIR.com: a comprehensive database holding case study and survey information on organisations from all over the world
• Excellence One: comparable information on the Excellence Model and European benchmarking requests

You will then be ready to identify a suitable benchmarking partner. This is the most complex stage and does not require partner organisations to come from the same sector.

How can Quality Scotland help?

Quality Scotland can help you implement a benchmarking programme in your organisation, from undertaking a self-assessment of your strengths and areas for improvement, to identifying a suitable partner organisation - including a European organisation. To discuss further please contact Nicola Ingram on 0131 556 2333 or email nicola.ingram@qualityscotland.co.uk. For more information, download the Benchmarking Brochure (pdf) here.