We are pleased to announce that the BM320 benchmarking group is now up and running. Skills & Projects has been working with members of the G320 group of small (under 1000 units) housing associations to develop a cost-effective benchmarking system that meets the needs of small organisations.

BM320 is built around a simple to use web-application and a secure SQL-Server database. Members need internet access and an interest in performance comparison.

The benefits of benchmarking are widely recognised, and in this instance it is expected to lead to:

• organisational gains in terms of quality and efficiency
• external benefits in marketing and promotion

The first BM320 group is operational and is now looking to increase membership. As numbers grow and reach an optimum of around 15 members, we and the g320 are keen to encourage the development of further groups.

If you want to find out more please contact us.

"I found the process simple and well managed. Colleagues at Skills & Projects are helpful and very competent which made for conducive working. Skills & Projects were clear about timetables and delivery and were well organised. Work was delivered on time and on budget. They ran the benchmarking meetings efficiently and effectively. The training given has been clear and was given a good rating by staff at Ducane.
The Benchmarking club is still in it’s early days but all the information refining I am confident will provide the Boards of g320 associations with ‘hard’ comparative date shortly as well as an opportunity to compare processes and review these in the light of the experience of others, all of which plays to the driving efficiencies agenda which I am keen to pursue at Ducane and I am sure others are too"
Mike Wilkins, Chair of the g320 group and Chief Exec of Ducane HA