A key feature of the BPIR member's area is the use of business excellence models to categorise and present business improvement information. At present in addition to the BPIR's own categorisation system, members have a choice of selecting either the Baldrige Model, EFQM Excellence Model or Singapore Quality Award Framework through which to view the BPIR databases. Future development includes the addition of more models in order to increase the range of choice for members from different parts of the world.

The following is a brief discussion of what business excellence models are. Included are the key challenges and proven benefits that can stem from their use.

Benchmarking is a systematic process for identifying and implementing best or better practices. Although experts break benchmarking into several types, there exist two main types of benchmarking:

Performance Measurement can be best understood through considering the definitions of the words 'performance' and 'measurement' according to the Baldrige Criteria:

Best practices are “those practices that have been shown to produce superior results; selected by a systematic process; and judged as exemplary, good, or successfully demonstrated”, these practices are then adapted to fit a particular organisation. Benchmarking is usually the systematic process used for identifying and implementing best or better practices. “Best Practice Benchmarking” is the most powerful type of methodology for identifying best practices and involves comparing the performance levels of organisations for a specific process or activity and capturing, analysing, and implementing best practices.

The models used to categorise the information in the BPIR.com members' area are shown below. The models are underpinned by the latest research in total quality management (TQM), business excellence, best practices and benchmarking. These models are used by 100,000’s of organisations worldwide as a basis for organisational improvement.  Categorising BPIR information in this way enables you to quickly identify relevant benchmarks, best practices, expert opinion, and find benchmarking partners and contacts.