What is Brainstorming and Bench-marking?

Brainstorming

Technique for generating a free flow of ideas in a group of people

- A group of people share thoughts & ideas on problems in a relaxed atmosphere that encourages unrestrained collective thinking

- The goal is to generate a free flow of ideas on identifying problems, & finding causes, solutions, & ways to implement solutions

Bench-marking

Process of measuring performance against the best in the same or another industry

- An approach that can inject new energy into improvement efforts

- Purpose is to establish a standard against which performance is judged, & to identify a model for learning how to improve

Steps in benchmarking process

• Identify a critical process that needs improvement (order entry, distribution) 

• Identify an organization that excels in the process, preferably the best 

• Contact the benchmark organization, visit it, & study the benchmark activity 

• Analyze the data 

• Improve the critical process at your own organization