Execution of the Benchmarking Process

Execution of the Benchmarking Process

           Benchmarking is simply the internal evaluation of company A compared to another company B that has the same work processes and is more successful in its operations because of learning a few tricks for company A to improve on its quality performance. The motive for benchmarking activities is to help an underperforming company to enhance and add value to its existing workflow to become more competitive than before (Alosani, Al-Dhaafri, & Yusoff, 2016). Implementation occurs in a four-phase plan that, if effectively conducted, then the company should reap highly from the lessons learned.

Firstly, the initial stage is the Planning Phase, where it remains the most significant step of the benchmarking process as any errors must get avoided as they may negatively influence the outcome. Planning involves prioritizing and shortlisting the needy gap or process that is required in the company, selecting the benchmarking organization, and researching on the top-secret operations that occur in the company (Mahalik, 2018). Secondly, the Analysis Phase is another crucial stage in the Benchmarking process after the planning step has got conducted. The analysis involves critically evaluating all the ideas identified in the planning stage to observe the purpose of going into the benchmarking process based on the information gathered from the selected organization. Also, the firm must set the goals and objectives that will improve the quality performance of the company. The other phase is the Integration Phase, where a collective reconciliation of the ideas agreed upon in both the Planning and Analysis Phase occurs. A conclusive proposal is then forwarded to the senior management team to give their views and approvals for the actual visit to the selected benchmarking organization.

Lastly, the Action Phase occurs as the last exercise of benchmarking implementation. In this stage, all the essential procedures learned from the benchmarking idea have gotten absorbed in the company for adoption and consideration. It involves devising an action plan on how the concepts will get applied in the company, including the timelines and identifying those who will conduct specific tasks. Likewise, the top management must show commitment by coordinating all departments to ensure that everything introduced is getting done as planned (Mahalik, 2018). Close Monitoring of the tasks carried out by staff is crucial for the new ideas to become successful. After achieving the goals identified, the company can introduce more projects with the best benchmarking procedures to make it a continuous organization task to become the best.

References

Alosani, M. S., Al-Dhaafri, H. S., & Yusoff, R. Z. B., (2016). Mechanism of benchmarking and its impact on organizational performance. International Journal of Business and Management, 11(10), 172-183.

Mahalik, P. K. (2018, December 29). Benchmarking: Ten practical steps with review points. iSixSigma. https://www.isixsigma.com/methodology/benchmarking/benchmarking-ten-practical-steps-review-points/