------------------------------------------------------------A Benchmarking

Framework for the

University Sector

Careers Service

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The Benchmarking Process

• Background

• Why benchmark?

• What is benchmarking ?

• Proposed framework

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Stages in the Benchmarking Process

Stage 1 Planning Plan

Stage 2Data

Collection Do

Stage 3Data

Analysis & Comparison

Compare

Stage 4Results &

Action Act

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Stage 1 - Planning

• Appoint a project team and clarify objectives of the exercise

• Identify Centres of Excellence to benchmark against

• Categorise core activities

• Identify comparable information for each core area

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Behind the Scenes

1. Understand your own processes

2. Analyse processes of

others

3. Compare your performance with

others

4. Implement steps to close performance gaps

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Stage 2 – Data Collection

• Desk research– Annual reports, web/paper

searches and e-mail/telephone conversations

• Site visits– Cultural & ’off agenda’ material

is equally informative

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Stage 2 - Data Collection

• Prepare Questions

– According to core activities– SWOT analysis– Circulated draft questions

internally– staff buy-in– Circulated questions to BM

partners

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Stage 2 – Data Collection

• Plan visits– Decide how necessary is the

visit– Priortise who you need to see,

nice to see– Personal contacts are useful for

further follow-up– Leave time on the day to re-

visit or browse

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Data Comparison

Bristol Cardiff Edinburgh

Cork

No. of staff

5 7 5 1 half time

Employer Presentations & Milkround Visits

120 Companies visited

59 Companies visited

83 Companies visited

61 Companies visited

Recruitment Fairs

Bristol hosts 6 Fairs attended by 383 exhibitors & 4, 852 students

Cardiff hosts 3 Fairs attended by 87 exhibitors and 1,861 students

Edinburgh hosts 3 Fairs attended by 222 exhibitors & 4,920 students

Cork hosts 1 Fair attended by 48 exhibitors and 2,000 students

•Design template to allow for easy comparison- tabular format

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Stage 3 – Results and Action

• Identify gaps and address relevance to your situation

• Make recommendations

• Prepare action plan

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Benefits of Benchmarking

• Raises awareness & confidence about own performance

• Better understanding of the ‘big picture’

• Greater involvement and motivation of staff in change programmes

• Learning from others in applying best practice – without re-inventing the wheel

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Careers Service Experience

• Planning is the key to success

• Be clear on your own core activities

• Keep it simple

• Learn as you go

• Be realistic