Workshop on Benchmarking Szentendre, 29-30 March 2007

BenchmarkingRuslan Zhechkov

ECENA Secretariat

Purpose of the Session

• Test the understanding of the concept

• Introduce definitions• Introduce types• Links with indicators• Brainstorming on possible use and

application: what types, what partners………

What is benchmarking according to you?

• Idea 1• Idea 2• Perception• Definition 1• Definition 2

Translations into Local Languages

• Albania• BiH• Croatia• Macedonia• Montenegro• Romania• Russian• Serbia• Others

Key Definitions

• Improving ourselves by learning from others

• Admit that someone is better• Measuring performance and processes

against the best in class• Comparing with others and learning

lessons

• Others………

Paradigm Blindness

Mode of thinking: The way we do things is the best because this is the way we have always done it!

Benchmarking overcomes PB – opens the organisation to new methods and ideas to improve effectiveness!

Question: Have you ever experienced PB?

Learning from the Better• Identify examples of best practices

nationally and internationally• Learn from those who have achieved

excellence• Acquire greater confidence• Improve quality and productivity

• Would you do that or you think you do things in the best possible way?

Check How Far You Got

• Improvement in measuring performance

• Develop realistic targets for improvement

• Monitor progress against cutting edge organisations

• Understand the big picture better and the factors that make a best practices

Stimulate Staff to Keep Learning

• Encourage individual and organisational learning;

• Develop a culture of continuous improvement and willingness to learn;

• Introduce innovative solutions;

• Q: Is it important to involve staff in organisational learning/improvement?

What can you benchmark? Ideas?

1)2)3)4)5)

• Please judge from your personal organisational point of view?

Benchmarking….Performances

To be able to benchmark and compare performances we need a set of clear, simple, reliable, measurable indicators!

Processes• Mission• Vision• Ways of preparing

strategies• Prioritization• Plans • Site visits

• What else?

Types of Benchmarking

Other Types of Benchmarking….

• Strategic – replacing old strategies, adapting to new situations;

• Competitive – more valid for businesses;

When to use a certain type of benchmarking?

• Process• Performance• Internal• External• Strategic• International

Steps in Benchmarking (1)Choose process

Form team Establish performance

measures

Select partner Compare processes/performances

Plan for change Manage change

Collect data

Repeat

Steps in Benchmarking (2)

• Choose process/function/performance• Form team• Establish performance measures• Select partner• Collect data• Compare processes/performances• Plan for change• Manage change• Repeat

Critical Factors. Ideas?

1)2)3)4)

Critical Factors

• Suitable form of benchmarking• Clear focus• Management will• Relevant partner• Relevant team and resources (human,

financial)• Suitable indicators/measurement• Precise conclusions• Realistic change plan• Management support to implement change

Potential Partners? Ideas?

1)2)3)4)

Obstacles?

1)2)3)4)

Obstacles

• Lack of focus• Lack of management support• Wrong benchmarking partner

from irrelevant context• Overambitious plan for change• Lack of clear responsibilities and

support to implement change

Examples of Benchmarks/Benchmarking?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

RMCEI. Why?

• Combined best practices in inspection in EU countries;

• EU set a minimum bar/benchmark based on these best practices;

• RMCEI tackles processes and functions: plans, site visits, coordination between institutions, access to installations, reports from site visits.

IPPC Directive.

• Industries forced to work in compliance with BAT – technological (process) benchmark

• Benchmark for quality of permits (for the administration) – application, integrated approach, ELV/EQS,

• Other processes: compliance assurance, access to information, exchange of information, transboundary effect

Danish Benchmarking System

• Web-based system for comparing data from different inspectorates (internal performance and process benchmarking):

- Resources used per total inspection- Number of announced and unannounced site

visits;- Time and resources used for preparing a

permit;- Resources used for preparing a permit;- Resources available for training

Benchmarking/target setting

Example from Waste Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC (Art.5). MS should set up national strategies:

• 5 years after transposition – BMW to landfills reduced to 75% of 1995

• 8 years – 50% of 1995• 15 years – 35% of 1995

Networks as Platforms for Benchmarking

• Exchange of experience

• Better members pull the weaker ones

• The general level tends to rise

Thank you!Ruslan Zhechkovruslan@rec.org