Dear all
What are Benchmarks?
This is perhaps a crucial question that needs to be asked before any can be drafted up. Can we all agree on what they are? What is their relationship with standards and guidance?
Rob Edwards has suggested "that we keep some clear space between what we refer to as standards and what we refer to as benchmarks. Standards can be a requirement to reaching a benchmark, but I don’t really see that a standard should be a benchmark."
Rob has also mentioned the idea of a set of benchmarks based around outcomes as this would allow the HER to determine what approach they use to reach the objective. Would this be something that would take into account the diverse nature of HERs? Hugh Winfield has pointed out that the current benchmarks can be unachievable for smaller, unitary authority HERs.
Rob went on to say "I think that we should try and define core set of benchmarks which will define what a HER is and what the baseline services are". He also suggested that in addition to core benchmarks there be modular benchmarks that HERs could use depending on what would be most relevant to them.
Although many of those who currently use the Benchmarks who participated last week were keen to still have them (although I think everyone agreed they need revising) Neil Campling made this comment about how he defines Benchmarks- "In my view, while benchmarking may be useful for managers, it is a ‘dead hand’ that eventually stifles innovation, is a drag on change, and encourages a ‘bean-counter’ attitude to the past, our past, which is appropriated and re-cast by each succeeding generation." Hugh Winfield also suggested that they were aimed at Council managers. Paul Cuming pointed out that whilst they indicate a certain level of achievement but that if the level is arbitrary they don't tell you a lot.
So back over to to you. What do you think Benchmarks are? How would you define them as a concept?
all the best
Sarah
Sarah MacLean MA MIfA
Heritage Information Partnerships Supervisor
English Heritage
Designations Department
Engine House
Firefly Avenue
Swindon
SN2 2EH
E-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Telephone: 01793 414880
This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of English Heritage unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system and notify the sender immediately. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it. Any information sent to English Heritage may become publicly available.
Portico: your gateway to information on sites in the National Heritage Collection; have a look and tell us what you think.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/archives-and-collections/portico/
|