Phase I: Plan

Identify what to benchmark

• Assess customer and/or organizational needs and identify where there is room for improvement within the department or functional area
• Determine what resources will be needed to complete the benchmarking project
• Prepare the business case for the benchmarking project in consultation with the Project Owner
• Obtain the support of the Organizational Excellence Steering Committee
• Identify potential members for the Benchmarking Team
• Obtain approval from Organizational Excellence Steering Committee on Team Leader and membership

Introduce the benchmarking process

• Provide an introductory training session to the Benchmarking Team
• Provide the Benchmarking Team with guidance and research support on a continuing basis throughout the benchmarking project
• Coach and mentor the Team Leader on the benchmarking process

Develop the measurement plan

• Define more precisely the parameters of the process and/or policy to be benchmarked
• Determine what to measure (1) to assess the performance of the process and/or policy and, (2) to compare it to a similar process and/or policy at other organizations

Develop the data collection and analysis plan

• Identify internal (within the organization) information and data pertaining to the process and/or policy that will be collected
• Identify external (outside the organization) information and data pertaining to the process and/or policy that will be collected
• Define how the internal and the external information and data will be collected will analyzed
• List potential Benchmarking Partners
• Identify and consult with key internal stakeholders