Cost performance benchmarking efforts by national groups, while valuable from an education standpoint, proved futile. Process benchmarking and reengineering with the use of information technology was a new buzzword whose potential, while enormous, has yet to be implemented by most fleets. In the 90's, underground storage tank legislation prompted the outsourcing of fueling services. There are few employees involved in these functions and thus few political barriers. Analyzing and outsourcing these services proceeds without much opposition.
Trends suggest that managed competition is here to stay.
In the electric utilities, it is here for good and is quickly prodding many utility fleets to action. In most governments, implementation of managed competition depends on the leadership, both political and administrative, and the fiscal situation therein. In some governments, such as Indianapolis, Charlotte and the County of San Diego, aggressive leadership has required sweeping reform in this direction. The threat of losing the competition forces each manager to make decisions about cost as if the operation were a business. This is one of the greatest benefits of managed competition.