Benchmarking provides an effective method for charting the performance of your operation compared to others across the industry. Benchmarking different performance metrics across organizations can show you where new techniques might save money, time, and staff hours. This list of the Knowledge Network’s most viewed benchmarking comments and resources that were added in the last year could help you take advantage of benchmarking techniques.

1. “Benchmarking for Results: How to Design a Program that Works”: A document from Baker Tilly that discusses means for reducing operation costs and improved customer service.
2. “Performance Measures/Benchmarks for Solid Waste”: A question from Izzy Murguia asking for information about how communities are measuring their solid waste and recycling processes.
3. “12 Ingredients for a Successful Post Benchmarking Exercise”: A blog post from Michael Koeppel that discusses steps to take after you have measured your organization’s performance.
4. “Measuring What Matters”: High praise was cast upon this report on benchmarking from the Government Finance Officers Association
5. “Benchmarking Strategies”: A user-generated question about the need for benchmarking and the appropriate steps to take after you have charted your effectiveness.

Share your thoughts and stories of benchmarking best practices in the comments section below, and be sure to check out the benchmarking topic page and recent benchmarking-related questions for more opportunities to learn about and share benchmarking-related knowledge.

Aloha,

James Davidson

James Davidson was an intern for ICMA’s Knowledge Network. Direct your questions and comments to Katharine Greenlee at kgreenlee@icma.org.