As one of the titles in the American Productivity & Quality Center's Passport to Success series, Benchmarking provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to achieve benchmarking success. Based on years of research into the practices of leading organizations, this book, written by experienced APQC benchmarkers, highlights various types of benchmarking and APQC's benchmarking methodology. Readers can track their own progress and identify benchmarking landmarks. Supported by examples of best practices and tips from actual practitioners, it examines preparation and planning, participation, data collection, data analysis, and measurement. This 86-page book is retail priced at $19.95. An excerpt from Benchmarking: "The first vitally important step in a successful benchmarking initiative is clearly defining the objectives and the desired outcomes. While benchmarking cannot eliminate competition, its outcomes can include information on how to redesign processes to make your organization more competitive, improve quality, reduce costs and cycle time, and increase the satisfaction levels of external and internal customers. To define your specific objectives and desired outcomes, ask the individuals involved in deciding to benchmark to answer the following questions: What are we trying to accomplish?; What is the current state?"