Benchmarking
Systematically comparing how other organizations or products solve the same problem, to find good practices and opportunities.
What it’s for
It avoids starting from scratch and shows what people already expect from other services they know.
Key elements
Same criteria
Everything is compared against the same list.
Beyond the competition
Also other sectors that solve the same problem.
Understand, don’t copy
Know why something works before adopting it.
How it’s done
Choose references. Which products or services, and with what criteria.
Explore and document. Screenshots, notes, strengths and weaknesses.
Compare. Put them side by side and draw conclusions.
Applications in design
When to use it
At the start of a project, to learn what is standard and where you can stand out.
Avoid
Copying what competitors do without knowing whether it works for them.
Don’t fall for it
Look at other sectors too: the best idea often comes from outside.
Connections
Authors and works
- 1989
Robert C. Camp
Described benchmarking as the search for best practices to improve one’s own performance.
Sources
Original sources
- Camp, R. C. (1989). Benchmarking: The search for industry best practices that lead to superior performance. ASQC Quality Press.
Last reviewed: