Which of the following is the benefit of benchmarking to WAS?

Warwickshire Ambulance Service (WAS) is an NHS Trust. It operates throughout Warwickshire and the neighbouring areas. It has three core areas of activity, namely the provision of Emergency Ambulance Services, routine Patient Transport Services, and Logistic Medical Services. The agency is working towards higher service level through benchmarking.

Which of the following is the benefit of benchmarking to WAS?
A . Benchmarking is a panacea for all WAS’s problems
B . It will help WAS create performance standards derived from an analysis of the best in business
C . It helps WAS identify better ways to deliver service through a cookbook process
D . It will help WAS analyse the competitors in the industry

View Answer

Answer: B

Explanation:

Benchmarking is ‘the pursuit by organisations of enhanced performance by learning from the suc-cessful practices of others. Benchmarking is a continuous activity; key internal processes are adjusted, performance is monitored, new comparisons are made with the current best performers and further changes are explored. Where information about these key processes is obtained through a co-operative partnership with specific organisations (rather than via a third party such as an independently-maintained database), there is an expectation of mutual benefit over a period of time.

Reference: – The Department of Navy Benchmarking Handbook: A system view – CIPS study guide page 49-51

LO 1, AC 1.3