Quality & Operational Excellence

Benchmarking for Performance Improvement

Benchmarking compares performance and practices with others to identify gaps and learn better ways of working. This course covers benchmarking types, selecting what to benchmark, finding partners, collecting comparable data, analysing gaps, learning practices, adapting them and implementing improvements.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Learning from the best accelerates improvement. You will learn to run benchmarking projects that lead to change.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Benchmarking project planning, data comparison exercises, case studies and implementation workshops.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain types of benchmarking
Select processes and metrics to benchmark
Identify and approach benchmarking partners
Collect and normalise comparable data
Analyse performance gaps and practices
Adapt and implement better practices

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Quality and performance managers
Process owners
Strategy professionals
Operational excellence staff
Senior managers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Benchmark selection
Data comparison
Gap analysis
Practice adaptation
Implementation

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Benchmarking

09:00–10:08Types
10:08–11:00Benefits and pitfalls
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Benefits and pitfalls (continued)
11:45–12:53Ethics
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Planning

09:00–10:08What to benchmark
10:08–11:00Metrics
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Metrics (continued)
11:45–12:53Partners
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Data

09:00–10:08Data collection
10:08–11:00Normalisation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Normalisation (continued)
11:45–12:53Site visits
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Analysis

09:00–10:08Gap analysis
10:08–11:00Practice comparison
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Practice comparison (continued)
11:45–12:53Enablers
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Implementation

09:00–10:08Adapting practices
10:08–11:00Action plans
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Action plans (continued)
11:45–12:53Monitoring
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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