This flowchart provides the common steps taken during various benchmarking phases. The benchmarking phases in this document include planning, data gathering, analysis and integration, implementation execution, and re-calibration. The associated sample steps include: identify and prioritize areas to be benchmarked, identify customers and their requirements, establish a benchmarking team, define relevant benchmarking measurements, gather benchmark performance data, establish performance goals and objectives, implement actions, and validate/update benchmarks. This document should be used as a general guide to understand and review this business process. Organizations should customize this tool to ensure that it reflects their business operations and continuously monitor the process to ensure that the steps described are accurate.