What are the different types of Benchmarking?

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Strategic Benchmarking is used to improve overall performance by examining the long-term strategies and approaches that have enabled great performers to succeed. It involves considering core competencies, developing new products and services; changing the balance of activities; and improving capabilities for dealing with changes in the background environment.

Competitive Benchmarking is used when organizations consider their positions in relation to performance characteristics of vital products and services. Benchmarking partners are drawn from the same segment.

Process Benchmarking is used when the focus is on improving detailed critical processes and operations. Partners are sought from best practice organizations that do similar work or deliver comparable services.

Functional Benchmarking is used when organizations look to benchmark with partners from different business areas of activity in order to find ways of improving like functions or work processes.

Internal Benchmarking seeks partners from within the same organization. The main advantages of internal benchmarking are that sensitive data and information is more accessible, general data is readily available, and less time and resources are needed.

External Benchmarking seeks outside organizations that are known to be best in their field. External benchmarking provides the chance to learn from those who are known to be best in class, although it is important to remember that not every best practice solution can be adopted by others.

International Benchmarking seeks partners from other countries because the best organizations are located in other parts of the world or there are too few benchmarking partners within the same country to produce valid results.



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