ICT benefits realisation consultancy

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is used to define work processes and work practices at specific points in time. To demonstrate the degree to which your project has been successful you need to take a benchmark for comparison with future evaluations. To benchmark effectively it is best to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, to give a full understanding of actual work processes and organisational culture.

How you will benefit

• Provides a clear understanding of current work practices and processes, and what needs to be done to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• Provides an independent and objective insight into your users’ actual behaviour, attitudes and practices
• Helps ensure you make the appropriate strategic decisions through having a clear understanding of your user community
• Provides a broad understanding of where future investment is most required
• Helps define the requirements for new systems and the evolving requirements for existing systems

What we do

We draw on a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as surveys, interviews, workshadowing, and process reviews. We focus on identifying what actually happens within organisations (which often is quite different to the defined processes) through conducting components of our research in context.

Things that may be on your mind about benchmarking

1. When should I do it?
Ideally benchmarking should be undertaken prior to any change taking place and evaluations performed after the changes so that the impact can be reviewed effectively.
2. Can I do it if the project is already underway?
Yes, a benchmark can be taken from the point the project has reached for comparison with future evaluations.
3. Are your methods intrusive to frontline staff?
We are adept at causing minimal disruption and have an excellent understanding of the time demands and responsibilities of frontline staff.
4. Can’t I just benchmark using system data?
In order to benchmark effectively it is best performed using both quantitative and qualitative data, to give a full understanding of the work processes and organisational culture. Without such an approach it is not possible to gain a holistic and coherent picture of actual current practices and processes and attitudes to new technology within the organisation and how these change.