Benchmarking (comparative analysis, comparative research)
Benchmarking (English for "to set criteria") is the search for best practices ("Best Practice") that are cross-industry and lead to sensational performance.
Short Description.
Organizations or parameters such as costs or results are compared based on certain factors. Better solutions are adapted. Benchmarking not only serves to set goals (Benchmarks), but also shows the right way to achieve them (Benchmarking).
There are 3 levels of benchmarking:
Strategic Benchmarking
Tactical Benchmarking
Operational benchmarking
Strategic Benchmarking evaluates forward-looking potentials, profitability, development, innovation, as well as productivity. In this regard, benchmarking should compare one's own company with a competitor, as well as one's own company's income centers with each other.
Tactical Benchmarking includes marketing costs, Marketing-Mix, F&E costs, inventory and execution times. The result should be an exchange of experience with other companies.
Operational benchmarking includes delivery behavior, technical service, claims processing as well as order fulfillment and captures individual activities that are drained from tactical benchmarking.
Tasks and objectives
The purpose of Benchmarking is to look for new impulses to the processes and methods used in a company. The search includes not only the company's environment, but also the industry. Of the ideas obtained, only those with the best chance of increasing competitiveness will be implemented. This constant search for potentials for success is an important factor in a company's competitiveness and viability. The main focus of benchmarking lies not in finding differences, but in filtering out the best solutions ("Best Practices") to achieve long-term success.
Conditions and special features
- Concrete measurements and knowledge in your own company
- Learning from others
- Changes and improvements in the company's processes