Benchmarking user groups Benchmarking user groups An action learning program that teaches and applies process benchmarking methodology for improvement of a particular process, under expert guidance and in collaboration with teams from other Councils. How it works Over a period of approximately eight months, teams from different Councils are taken through a structured process to study a selected process in depth. The team analyses the current level of performance, identify best practice partners, approach those organisations, make site visits and bring back ideas for improvement.
Teams attend together one day per month, and undertake other work between meetings.
At each meeting, they report their progress to date and gain ideas and feedback from the entire group. The facilitators then provide input of new material, supported by extensive documentation for reference. The teams are given specific tasks to achieve by the next meeting. The facilitators provide a help desk service between meetings. The sponsor s role is to support the team in terms of resources, and to take ownership of the improvement recommendations the team will make.