What are the benchmarking processes? Interview? Questionaire? What else?

Answer 1

Benchmarking is basically copying and comparing. Any legal means of gathering information about another company's or institution's methods and practises is OK. The net result is of course, mediocrity; since by definition, benchmarking cannot result in innovation, only elevation to the existing level of competitors. If your company's goal is to beat the competition, benchmarking is an interesting exercise to keep an army of MBA's and consultants busy, so they do the least harm to your operation. It will never result in surpassing the competition. While you're busy figuring out how they do it, the competition will be working to improve their operation to the next level. Great companies do this stuff, but they don't rely on it for success. It ain't leadership.