Overview

Internal benchmarking allows cooperatives to identify best practices within their own operations or across federation member organizations. By systematically comparing key metrics, processes, and outcomes, cooperatives can drive continuous improvement, enhance transparency, and make smarter strategic decisions.

This best practice outlines how to set up simple, effective benchmarking programs.

Core Tactics:

• Identify key performance areas to benchmark.

• Standardize metric definitions.
  Ensure consistent measurement across departments or co-ops by clearly defining each metric and how it is calculated.
• Launch a pilot round.
  Test benchmarking with 2–3 departments or co-op partners first before expanding across the organization.
• Create simple benchmarking dashboards.
  Visualize comparisons in simple dashboards for leadership, boards, and members.
• Promote a “continuous improvement” culture.
  Frame benchmarking as a tool for learning and collective growth—not competition or punitive measures.
• Refresh benchmarks annually.
  Track progress over time and adjust targets based on collective learning.

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