Benchmarking and Milestones in Quality Indicators, Research Paper Example

Benchmarking is an important process in defining the standards that measure excellence and as a basis of making comparisons in the activities and functions of a business, products and services as well as the entire enterprise. Milestonesare devices applicable in defining the schedule as well as the status of projects and are important yardsticks for evaluation of the progress achieved in the entire process of a project lifecycle. The strategic implication of milestones is the tools that offer the avenue for the definition of priorities and monitoring the progress achieved. Benchmarking and milestone are therefore crucial considerations in the management of utilization of quality indicators in health care organizations. They play a pivotal role in the reduction of expenses as well as improvement of the quality of services offered (Obaidat  & Boudriga, 2009).

Benchmarking plays a crucial role in total quality management by offering a platform to an organization to evaluate and compare their process with the processes of other organizations that lead in the same field. In the process of quality improvement in an organization, a consideration of quality indicators to guide in the appraisal of performance is critical. The process of performance evaluation is usually continuous until the project is completed (Walshe, et al., 2001). Benchmarking entails the operations as well as programs that guide in appraising the performance in the organization. It reflects the effectiveness of procedures applicable in the organization through application of trial tests as well as standards. Benchmarking also facilitates for the review of information technology applicable in the organization. Milestones reflect when the project or a stage in a project has to be terminated. This consequently facilitates a continous monitoring, appraisal and improvement of performance and consequently, managing the utilization of quality indicators.

References

Obaidat, M.S. & Boudriga, N.A. (2009). Fundamentals of Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunications. Wiley-Interscience publishers.

Walshe, K. et al., (2001). The external review of quality improvement in health care organizations: a qualitative study. International journal for quality in health care. Volume 13 (5), p. 367-374.