According to the (now closed) Public Sector Benchmarking Service (PSBS) (a collaborative partnership between the UK's Cabinet Office and HM Revenue & Customs) benchmarking essentially involves "learning, sharing information and adopting best practices to bring about step changes in performance. So, at its simplest, benchmarking means: "Improving ourselves by learning from others"."

Benchmarking usually involves

• Regular comparison of functions or processes with best practice examples
• The identification of gaps in performance
• Exploring new ways of improving how things are done
• Introducing and using the improved processes
• Monitoring and reviewing of processes, measuring progress and beneficial outcomes.

For the best results, the PSBS encourages focusing on the learning and sharing that goes on during the benchmarking process.

Follow the link for related information on the Public Sector Benchmarking Service.

There are a number of benchmarking tools available, several of which are sector or industry specific. An example of benchmarking within the Education sector is the tool used by the Space Management Group to look at institutional estates. Another good example is the e-learning benchmarking exercise, an initiative led by the HE Academy in partnership with the Joint Information Systems Committee. The exercise involved 38 institutions in Phase 1 and 27 institutions in Phase 2. The website includes additional information including a blog and a wiki on the benchmarking exercise.