Benchmarking must be about implementing an effective and very economical process for continuous performance improvement.

"If it can't be measured, it can't be managed", says management.

"And if we can't compare our 'bangs per buck' we can't claim to be improving; faster; or equal to our peers. And THE BOARD NEEDS TO KNOW."

Regardless of whether you are using LEAN, Six Sigma, TQM or another methodology you need to understand the actual capabilities and achievements of your peers in order to understand your progress and success.