Benchmarking is the process of figuring out what to benchmark, finding out what the benchmark is, determining how it is achieved, and deciding to make changes in one's own business practices to meet or exceed the benchmark. Benchmarking is used to set quality standards for the process being improved. Benchmarking is also used to set goals for overall achievement and performance. Teams have the authority to manage the process and responsibility and accountability for its overall performance. Links process improvement to improved performance Performance in this quality context means an attribute of the work product itself, i.e., how well output of the processes used to create it perform.
Performance is also a general process characteristic.
Broad performance characteristics are effectiveness, cost and schedule. Key to the improvement cycle is to measure the performance of the product or service against productivity and efficiency. Investments in the organization's human capital CQI relies on the availability of time for individuals and teams to pursue improvement efforts, and on the availability of training and education to develop needed skills and experience in improvement tools and techniques. The notion is to develop a learning organization, one that values risk-taking and innovation and the ability to learn from mistakes through reflection. Staff trained in CQI data analysis tools and techniques.