For 2006, our sign up period is from March 13 - May 12, 2006. The full schedule with the submittal dates, report schedule, and best practices meeting are shown here.

To participate you should first, fill out the registration form (top button on the left) Then continue by noting the submittal schedule and downloading the definitions.

The Distribution Facilities Benchmarking Group  uses a Standard set of Survey definitions that include benchmarking issues for: Space Data / Utilities / Building Maintenance / Custodial / Parking / Grounds / Project Costs / Facilities Engineering / Environmental Health and Safety / Building Security / and Fixed Occupancy Costs.

The final report tells you where you stand compared with others. To improve your performance you need to understand the best practices of the high performing organizations. We hold a "Best Practices Meeting" to facilitate the sharing of information among participants.

Benchmarking Objectives ...

Our objectives are:

• To determine the related normalized facility costs, utilities, and services to support a business. The study measures and links costs of the services provided with a subjective evaluation by the customer on the quality of those services.
• To provide a method to measure our effectiveness
• To find strengths and weaknesses
• To create an awareness of best practices
• To challenge business-as-usual methods
• To establish goals for further improvements
• To facilitate discussions on best practices between organizations

The purpose of benchmarking is to provide indicators that lead to discussions between organizations. A partially completed data submittal is usually not a hindrance to starting those discussions. The discussions whether by telephone or in person are what allow you to "borrow" new and innovative ideas that create improvements in your facility.

Reports ...

All participants will be included in a Combined Report. Drafts and final reports will be provided in Excel format files as from our website. We will send CD's to any participants that have difficulty obtain the file from the download site.