The book Achieving Performance Excellence Through Benchmarking and Organisational Learning is a joint publication by the Dubai Government Excellence Program and the Centre for Organisational Excellence Research (COER). The book describes 10 TRADE Best Practice Benchmarking projects that were undertaken as part of DGEP’s 3rd Cycle of Dubai We Learn.

The book with its narrative on each project and relevant figures and photographs provides a rich source of evidence-based performance improvement stories. The case studies have been rigorously documented showing how each project progressed through the five stages of TRADE. The name of “TRADE” symbolises the importance of forming benchmarking partnerships with the intent of “trading information and knowledge” between organisations. Benchmarking should not be seen as a one-way exchange of information. It should be mutually beneficial so that relationships can be maintained and grow so that the partners can learn from each other again when the need arises.

The government entities that participated and the key achievements from each project are summarized below:

Some of the comments on the value of the TRADE methodology were:

• The TRADE methodology is a very logical structured approach to enable project teams to conduct benchmarking using evidence-based tools. The completion of each of the five stages of TRADE is critical to the success of project outcomes. (DCAS)
• The TRADE methodology is a useful tool for capturing issues and impacts. The methodology enables the project team to better define benchmarking requirements and outcomes. (DEWA)
• Benchmarking team members need to be very structured and the TRADE sheet helps a lot in this area through framing tasks and actions. The TRADE sheet and accompanying documents need to be updated regularly to reflect progress, achievements, and to make sure all members are still aligned to the aim and scope. (DHA)
• The TRADE methodology, resources and templates guided the team to complete the benchmarking project. For example, each stage had a plan on how to complete the stage with essential information such as the assignment of the task, planned start date, the actual one, and the outcomes from each stage. Also, provided were templates on how to communicate with benchmarking partners and seek their help with thank you letters too; shows how professional the methodology is! (Dubai Municipality)
• The benchmarking methodology has been very effective in allowing us to ask ourselves the right questions at different stages of the methodology. We have achieved the required improvements without investments in purchasing additional tools or equipment, building new infrastructure, or hiring more technicians. We utilized existing resources. (Dubai Police)
• We found the TRADE methodology and structure so useful, therefore; we initiated the same to improve another service in Dubai SME (Government Procurement Program). (Dubai SME)
• TRADE has served as a great tool even when we were new to TRADE. It allowed us to be more efficient and flexible in executing the project and communication as it avoided the use of unnecessary tools. TRADE has captured all the needed information in one document. RTA has adopted the TRADE methodology as the reference tool to conduct and implement its benchmarking process for all projects, initiatives, and performance indicators. (RTA)

For more information on the book or on TRADE, please contact Dr. Robin Mann, Director, COER, R.S.Mann@massey.ac.nz