BIHTEK: Benchmarking as a tool for improvement of Higher Education Institution Performance,
530696-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-BE-TEMPUS-SMGR
FRAMEWORK FOR BENCHMARKING IN B&H
Benchmarking requires a key focus on continuous improvement through a comparative
approach and the search for best practices, to be more than a pure comparison of statistical
data. These data will be analyzed in the context of transformations taking place in the
environment of higher education institutions, with particular emphasis on changes in the labor
market, innovation-promoting policies, etc.
The benchmarking system will monitor the standing of B&H higher education institutions
based on a variety of criteria. A wide range of relevant quality and effectiveness parameters
will be taken into account.
BH HEIs will be able to:
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Make realistic assessments of the situation of individual higher education institutions
Use these assessments to prognosticate and stimulate policy
Use changes to improve their competitiveness domestically and internationally.
A special team will be set up to monitor the system with regard to its objectiveness,
independence and reliability.
Enhance culture of quality and excellence
Standardize internal quality systems control
Establish continual mechanism of quality improvement
Standardize required competence level
Establish ranking methods for study programs
Benchmarking for BH higher education will include an element of comparison such as a set of
common criteria against which the program/institution is assessed and will imply a strong
element of learning and a commitment to improve one’s own practices.
In order to obtain the learning element in the benchmarking process, it’s important to establish
internal ownership of the process among the various parties involved.
1.Why Benchmarking in BH HEIs
No single university in B&H, no matter how large, can encompass all knowledge. Every
university has to make choices. It is demanding to be world class in even a few academic
fields. Each university has to prioritize the use of its resources and use them to best effect.
Knowing whether it is succeeding in its aims is another more demanding level of difficulty.
BIHTEK: Benchmarking as a tool for improvement of Higher Education Institution Performance,
530696-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-BE-TEMPUS-SMGR
The key consequential question is how university leaders will know where their institutions
stand and how they can be improved. Each university has to prioritize the use of its resources
and use them to best effect.
Knowing whether it succeeds in its aims is another more demanding level of difficulty.
The key consequential question is how university leaders will know where their institutions
stand and how they can be improved. Benchmarking is as essential in universities as it is in
other spheres.
They need reference points for good practice and for ways of improving their functioning.
There are a number of reasons why we benchmark:
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to facilitate improvement process
as part of an ongoing continuous improvement mechanisms
to ensure that plans are being carried out
to focus evaluation on the most useful areas
as part of changing management process
to justify the existence or value of the service
to demonstrate areas of merit to stakeholders
to develop relationships/partnerships with other organizations and
to assess aspects of management (include the level of management competitiveness)
2. What is Benchmarking
Benchmarking is a way of finding and adopting best practices, to the participative 'the open
and collaborative evaluation of services and processes with the aim of emulating best
available practice, through to the global and ambitious”; benchmarking is the process of
continuously comparing and measuring an organization with business leaders anywhere in the
world to gain information, which will help the organization take action to improve its
performance”
Reasons for use of benchmarking in BH HEIs are:
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Benchmarking provides qualified, targeted information for strategic decisions through
comparison of key performance indicators with strategically relevant partner
institutions.
BIHTEK: Benchmarking as a tool for improvement of Higher Education Institution Performance,
530696-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-BE-TEMPUS-SMGR
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Benchmarking provides standards for institutional quality management/enhancement.
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Benchmarking is a means for inter-organizational learning.
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Benchmarking can be carried out within a peer-group, on a one-to-one basis or against
a database.
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Benchmarking brings together the benefits of cooperation and competition.
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Benchmarking is an internal governance tool, not an external assessment or ranking.
3. Benefits from benchmarking at BH HEIs
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improved understanding of work flows, processes and procedures
continuous improvement in work flows, processes and procedures
new ideas leading to continuous improvement and breakthrough change
an overview of work flows, procedures and processes in organizations
pride in performance
participation in decision making
breakdown of traditional barriers between branches and management and staff
improved productivity
4. Approaches to benchmarking in BH HEIs
Benchmarking approach will consists of 5 phases:
1. Planning
- Identify the process to be benchmarked (i.e. An institution to be benchmarked and a model
institution) - establishment of benchmarking methods
2. Analysis
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Establish management commitment to the benchmarking process
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Define and understand the process to be benchmarked
Identify metrics and collect process data
Identify and establish the benchmarking team
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establish future performance levels
3. Integration
- dissemination of benchmarking results
- establishment of functional objectives
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BIHTEK: Benchmarking as a tool for improvement of Higher Education Institution Performance,
530696-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-BE-TEMPUS-SMGR
4. Action
- development of action plans
- implementation of specific actions and progress monitoring
- reestablishment of benchmarks
5. Final phase
- achieved leadership
- practices completely integrated into process
Modes of benchmarking process
BIHTEK: Benchmarking as a tool for improvement of Higher Education Institution Performance,
530696-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-BE-TEMPUS-SMGR
Identify key process
Document / Map Sub Processes
Identify Critical Success Factors
Measure Critical Success Factors
Analyze Results; Identify Gaps in Perfor
Select Benchmarking
Identify Be
Conclusion
Fundamentally the impact of BH universities is determined by the degree to which it achieves
and communicates the quality of its standards, its competitiveness, the quality and importance
of its research and the range and quality of its community service. To the degree that it is
recognized for these aspects it will have a high reputation and receive adequate recognition
for this among stakeholders such as prospective students, parents, employers locally and
nationally, and local and national media. The four aspects of external impact that are
benchmarked are reputation, competitiveness, academic staff strength, and community service
are very important for BH HEI.