Benchmarking -

What is benchmarking? A description of the various levels of benchmarking:

Framework

Sectoral

Public Sector

Enterprise

EU Benchmarking Initiatives -

Summaries of all Framework, Sectoral and Enterprise level initiatives supported by DG Enterprise and the European Commission including contact details and links to websites where appropriate.

Benchmarking Projects including -

Financing of Innovation

ICT and Organisational Arrangements

Logistics

Skills

Licensing Permits and Authorizations for Industry

Industry-Science Relations

ICT-O Skills

For these and other projects, the website provides comprehensive summary information, contact details and links to the European Commission, Lead Member States and the lead project Consultants. The complete Final Reports of projects can also be downloaded directly from the website.

What?s New -

Regularly updated summaries of new initiatives, up-coming events and current events relevant to benchmarking in Europe.

Groups and Committees -

Groups and Committees established by the European Commission to advise on and oversee benchmarking matters are housed on the website. Users are provided with summaries of each group's objectives, members and papers. It also houses reports from the Groups which are can be downloaded.

Global Links -

Links to relevant sites all over the world on benchmarking.

Relational Database of Project Digest (Cases) and Contacts (Resources) -

The database provides information about cases, practitioners and other contact sources on benchmarking in Europe.

The database is structured around different levels of analysis: framework conditions for industry, industrial sectors, public sectors and enterprises. It is supported by a comprehensive classified and keyword search and filtering facility, thus allowing interested parties to (a) quickly identify relevant resources in particular benchmarking areas and (b) quickly establish if benchmarking work has already been carried out in a particular area of interest.

The search facilities allow you to identify studies and contacts under a number of headings including the following:

Benchmarking Level (Company, Sectoral, Public Sector or Framework Conditions)


Industry Sector (Electronics, Engineering, Financial Services, etc.)


Policy Area (Labour Market, Transport Infrastructure, etc.)


Functional Area (Manufacturing, Finance, Human Resources, R & D, etc.)


Process Expertise (Budgeting, Training, Order Management, etc.)


Benchmarking Methodology Used (Results versus Standard, Process versus Best Practice, etc.)


Type of Organisation Expertise (Public Sector, SME, etc.)


Geographic Area (Europe, USA, Japan, etc.)

Applications for benchmarking practitioners to include information on the databases can be made simply by downloading the input forms, completing them and e-mailing or faxing them to the Benchmarking Co-Ordination Office, who also provide a support service for users.

Password Protected Areas -

There are password-protected sections on the website for the exclusive use of members of different working groups.

Search and Sub-Category Navigation Facility -

An effective keyword search facility covering the entire website alongside a comprehensive list of site sections and sub-sections, ensures that users can navigate within the site most efficiently and effectively. The Benchmarking Co-Ordination Office also provides a support service for users.

Since it's official launch in October 1998, the benchmarking-in-europe.com website has become a one-stop-shop for benchmarking information and the primary site for benchmarking in Europe.

For further information please contact:
Ms. Lorraine Mc Kenna, Benchmarking Co-ordination Office at benchmarking@ipc.ie