Using Benchmarks to Improve Performance
Course Description
APQC’s Using Benchmarks to Improve Performance course is designed for professionals who want to leverage benchmarking as a strategic tool for organizational growth. This course moves beyond the technical “how-to” of benchmarking, guiding participants through the practical steps of scoping, planning, and applying benchmarking insights to achieve measurable business impact.
Participants will learn to critically assess benchmarking data and translate findings to drive process improvement and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Through proven practices and real-world examples, the course equips leaders and decision-makers to use benchmarking effectively, whether validating current performance, identifying growth opportunities, or building a compelling business case for change.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate the strategic value of benchmarking
- Scope and plan benchmarking efforts
- Evaluate and apply benchmarking data for business outcomes
- Connect benchmarking insights for broader organizational impact
- Analyze and implement benchmarking results to enhance organizational performance
- Lead and influence benchmarking initiatives that align with business needs
Audience
- Targeted at mid-to-senior level leaders, business unit managers, VP, strategic planners, and those responsible for performance improvement
- Also valuable for anyone involved in strategic planning, quality, operational excellence, transformation, change management, and business analytics
Syllabus
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- Origin of benchmarking
- Define benchmarking
- Why organizations benchmark
- Leverage benchmarking
- What it isn't
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- Types of benchmarking
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- Plan
- Collect
- Analyze
- Adapt
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- What is the reason
- Define the scope
- Chevron/XOM example
- Align type of benchmarking to scope
- Value path
- PCF
- KPIs/metrics
- Collection
- Analyze
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- Adapt phase
- Transition to knowledge
- Roadmap to improve
- Selecting measures
- Value path
- Stakeholder management
- Benchmarking reinforces change
- Continuous learning
- Integration with Data Mining
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- Non-standardized process
- Poorly defined metrics
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- Summary
- Common mistakes
- Additional resources
As an IACET Accredited Provider, APQC offers .4 CEUs for this course that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
