Draft protocols for using the AAUS Members Forum for benchmarking
Benchmarking activity should abide by the following principles:
Legality - ensure your benchmarking activities / posts are legal. Do not provide commercial-in- confidence information. If you are in doubt, consult your Legal services area.
Equality of Exchange – ensure that the information you provide is of equal value as the information you receive and is provided in a timely manner, to the agreed specifications. Be honest and complete with the information submitted. Use the information you are given with honesty and integrity. Do not make inferences/assumptions – ask for clarification.
Confidentiality – treat the information posted as confidential to the individuals and universities involved. Seek permission from the provider individual and/or university to release any information outside the discussion forum, including using the name the university, name and role of the poster.
Understanding – be clear about the information you are seeking. Outline the parameters in the original post to ensure expectations are understood by all other participating institutions. Provide information in the manner requested so that comparisons can be made.
These are adapted from the Benchmarking Code of Conduct from the APQC (American Productivity & Quality Center) (see attached)