Benchmarking in comparing business processes

BUS8450: Sustainable Operations II
Assignment #1: Benchmarking
Value 10%

Benchmarking is the process of comparing business processes and performance to industry competitors and performance leaders. Benchmarking can reveal information in sustainability management that may be relevant to your client, including:
Best practices that have been utilized
Targets and policies that have been well-defined
Actions used to support the implementation of specific targets

Findings from benchmarking can be used to help your client achieve their goals. As they say, there is no need to re-invent the wheel!

Task 1: Report on Findings
A first step in generating meaningful recommendations for your client is to conduct benchmarking research. Each group member is responsible for benchmarking two organizations. One organization may be considered an industry peer (process) while the second organization has earned a reputation as a leader in sustainable operations (strategic). Your Team should decide as a group which organizations should be researched. Once you have selected the most relevant organizations, each team member is to complete an individual report that details their findings. Your research should focus on information relevant to your deliverables, including waste, water, energy do not provide details and information that may not be helpful to your client.
Before committing to an organization, ensure that you are able to secure the required data. A good place to begin would be the organizations website, recent news (for larger organizations) and/or see if you can schedule an interview with a key informant at the organization. Your report should be ~1000 – 1200 words and make use of the APA reference format.
Task 2: Summary of Key Findings
Along with your report you are expected to submit two summary documents that detail the most relevant findings; one for each organization. Please be creative. Your summary should of text; instead, it should include tables, graphs, charts and infographics. Each summary should be no more than half a page.
Submission Instructions
Please submit your documents (report and summary) as one file to the Dropbox on or before 11:59am on February 10th, 2021.
A Note on Academic Integrity

Written or other work which a student submits in a course shall be the product of his/her own efforts. Plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Cheating means the misrepresentation by the student of his/her performance in a college setting (Conestoga College, 2020). For more information on this policy, please click here and/or come speak with me.

To avoid plagiarism, be sure to cite your sources using the APA style. Should you require further information and/or assistance using the APA style guide, please visit the Learning Commons, the Library in person or online at APA @ Conestoga. Failure to cite your sources is considered a violation of academic integrity and will not be tolerated by the College.

Late Penalty

Unless otherwise stated, or in the event of extenuating circumstances*, late work will not be accepted.

*Must be communicated prior to the deadline.

Evaluation
Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations Unacceptable
Content All relevant sustainability metrics have been assessed
Demonstrates use of multiple sources for information and/or inclusion of an interview
Communication is clear and concise
Summary provides all relevant information

8
All relevant sustainability metrics have been assessed
Demonstrates use of multiple sources for information and/or inclusion of an interview
Communication is mostly clear and concise
Summary provides all relevant information

7 6 Most sustainability metrics have been assessed
Some sources for information and/or inclusion of an interview
Communication is Somewhat clear and concise
Summary may be missing relevant information

5 4 Missing or incomplete assessment of sustainability metrics
Lack of reputable information
Summary may be missing or incomplete

3 2 1 0
Style Report is nearly free of spelling and grammatical errors
Report is well organized and appropriate headings are used
Summaries are clear, concise and makes use of effective method of communication

Report is nearly free of spelling and grammatical errors
Report is organized and headings are used
Summaries are clear, concise and makes use mostly effective means of communication

2 Report has some spelling and or grammatical errors
Report lacks organization
Summaries lacks clarity
Ineffective use of graphs, tables, etc.

1.5 1
Report has significant spelling and or grammatical errors
Report lacks organization and may be difficult to follow
Summaries lacks clarity
Ineffective use of graphs, tables, etc.

0