Benchmarking

More Than Just Bean Counting……..

Dr. John Gallacher - Finance Director

What is it?
What is it?

Why Do it?
What is it?

Why Do it?

Some Issues
What is it?
Benchmarking a Definition

• A process through which practices are analysed to provide a

standard measurement ('benchmark') of effective performance

within an organisation (such as a university).

(Hefce Website Glossary , 2011)

Benchmarking a Definition

• A process through which practices are analysed to provide a

standard measurement ('benchmark') of effective performance within an

organisation (such as a university).

• Benchmarks are also used to compare

performance with other organisations and other sectors.

(Hefce Website Glossary , 2011)

 Benchmarking another Definition

• a process to facilitate the systematic comparison and evaluation of

practice, process and performance to aid improvement

Derived from SCHE Enhancement Committee, 2009, in Analytic Quality Glossary)

 Benchmarking another Definition

• a process to facilitate the systematic comparison and evaluation of practice, process

and performance to aid improvement

• a learning process structured to enable those engaging in the

process to compare their services-activities-processes-products-
results in order to identify their comparative strengths and
weaknesses as a basis for self improvement.

(Derived from SCHE Enhancement Committee, 2009, in Analytic Quality Glossary)

 Benchmarking another Definition

• a process to facilitate the systematic comparison and evaluation of practice, process

and performance to aid improvement

• a learning process structured to enable those engaging in the process to compare

their services-activities-processes-products-results in order to identify their
comparative strengths and weaknesses as a basis for self improvement.

• a way of not only doing the same things better but of discovering
new, better and smarter ways of doing things and in the process of
discovery, understanding why they are better or smarter

(Derived from SCHE Enhancement Committee, 2009, in Analytic Quality Glossary)

Benchmarking a Word Picture
Benchmarking Some Types

Strategic

Performance

Process
Benchmarking an Approach

Change
Collect Existing
Data Practice
Identify
Map the Process Good or
Identify Best
Partners & Data Practise
Sources
Identify Problem
or Area for
review
Why do it?
Benchmarking Learning and Universities

Culture of
facilitation

Reflection &
Evaluation
Learn for a
purpose Learn continuously
cycle of enquiry and
feedback

Learn from
your own and
other’s
experiences

Drawn from E. Kristensen, Benchmarking in the Improvement of

Higher Education, ENQA Workshop, 2003
Benchmarking Why do it?

Helps Set Realistic and Relevant Targets

Challenges Complacency

Visualise Identify Improvement • y

Highlights Need for Change

Benchmarking Why do it?

Relative position- league table?

Better Understanding

• y

Improvements Quantitative Qualitative

External View
Benchmarking Why do it?

Remove
Paradigm
Blindness

Leading• toy

Significantly
Superior
Performance
Some Issues
Benchmarking Issues?

Stuck in Analysis

Achieving Comparability
• y

Too hard not enough time

Benchmarking Summary

A systematic approach through comparative analysis,

process review design and adaption leading to superior
What is it? performance
Summary
A systematic approach through comparative analysis,
What is it? process review design and adaption leading to superior
performance

Universities are learning organisations and benchmarking

Why do it? is one expression of this and we need superior
performance
Summary
A systematic approach through comparative analysis,
What is it? process review design and adaption leading to superior
performance

Universities are learning organisations and benchmarking

Why do it? is one expression of this and we need superior
performance

Comparability
Some A narrow view - partial journey
Issues Too hard not enough resources
 Benchmarking
Much
More Than Just Bean Counting……..

Dr. John Gallacher - Finance Director -