This book provides the reader with inside knowledge about the application and workability of the concept of benchmarking in different industrial contexts. It takes a practical approach, including case studies in benchmarking applications from a cross-section of industry and commerce, and promotes state-of-the-art thinking and innovation through the use of benchmarking. It is the key text for senior managers, project teams, trainers and consultants in benchmarking and quality management. Effective Benchmarking features include: 20 case studies from nine different sectors; evidence that benchmarking can help achieve competitive advantage; numerous tips and useful information.

In 1997, Congress, in the conference report, H.R. 105-271, to the FY1998 Energy and Water Development Appropriation Bill, directed the National Research Council (NRC) to carry out a series of assessments of project management at the Department of Energy (DOE). The final report in that series noted that DOE lacked an objective set of measures for assessing project management quality. The department set up a committee to develop performance measures and benchmarking procedures and asked the NRC for assistance in this effort. This report presents information and guidance for use as a first step toward development of a viable methodology to suit DOE's needs. It provides a number of possible performance measures, an analysis of the benchmarking process, and a description ways to implement the measures and benchmarking process.

With growing demands for increased operational efficiency and process improvement in organizations of all sizes, more and more companies are turning to benchmarking as a means of setting goals and measuring performance against the products, services and practices of other organizations that are recognized as leaders. The Benchmarking Book is an indispensable guide to process improvement through benchmarking, providing managers, practitioners and consultants with all the information needed to carry out effective benchmarking studies. Covering everything from essential theory to important considerations such as project management and legal issues, The Benchmarking Book is the ideal step-by-step guide to assessing and improving your company’s processes and performance through benchmarking.

Begins with definitions of what to benchmark and ends with a stimulating real case study where a benchmarking project was conducted by observing all the necessary rules and with total adherence to the various protocols.

"In this book, Peter Bogetoft - THE expert on the theory and practice of benchmarking - provides an in–depth yet very accessible and readable explanation of the best way to do benchmarking, starting from the ground up." Rick Antle William S. Beinecke Professor of Accounting, Yale School of Management CFO, Compensation Valuation, Inc. "I highly recommend this well-written and comprehensive book on measuring and managing performance. Dr. Bogetoft summarizes the fundamental mathematical concepts in an elegant, intuitive, and understandable way." Jon A. Chilingerian Professor, Brandeis University and INSEAD "Bogetoft gives in his book Performance Benchmarking an excellent introduction to the methodological basis of benchmarking." Christian Parbøl Director, DONG Energy "This book is the primer on benchmarking for performance management." Albert Birck Business Performance Manager, Maersk Oil "This excellent book provides a non technical introduction for performance management." Misja Mikkers, Director, Dutch Health Care Authority "With this very well written and comprehensive introduction to the many facets of benchmarking in hand, organizations have no excuse for not applying the best and cost effective benchmarking methods in their performance assessments." Stig P. Christensen Senior R&D Director, COWI

Effective Management of Benchmarking Projects shows you how to apply benchmarking to a variety of projects. Effective Management of Benchmarking Projects equips the project team or manager with all the necessary competence for managing projects effectively. This practical book begins with definitions of 'what to benchmark' and ends with a stimulating real case study where a benchmarking project was conducted by observing all the necessary rules and with total adherence to the various protocols. This book deals with the application of benchmarking. It gives real examples of effective applications from such companies as: Rank Xerox, D2D, American Express, Rover, Texas Instruments.

All the necessary tools to be successful.