How-To
Benchmark Performance
To benchmark practices with other state DOTs, agencies can use the steps below. These steps are provided in more detail in NCHRP Report 902 Benchmarking and Comparative Measurement for Effective Performance Management.
Set the stage
Identify a performance area to benchmark, assemble the team, select a leader, establish objectives and ground rules, and build agency support for the process.
Select peer agencies
Select peer agencies with similar characteristics, such as location, size, system and service characteristics, and traffic demand.
Define the approach
Choose and define one or more measures to compare.
Obtain data
Gather the data needed from peer agencies, national databases, or other sources.
Analyze data
Evaluate the quality of the data and address missing or incomplete data, data that does not fall within the valid range, or other data problems.
Identify noteworthy practices
Contact top-performing agencies to discuss key elements that influenced their success.
Communicate results
Share the findings with agency leadership, impacted staff, and/or other stakeholders.
Recommend improvements
Determine what steps could be taken to improve performance.
Repeat the process
Consider benchmarking as an important steps of continuous improvement within the agency.