Based on new research, this second edition provides an updated solution-driven methodology for benchmarking in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Unique in its focus solely on benchmarking, it takes a how-to step-by-step approach to two benchmarking techniques, providing new tools and detail for other entities to replicate those techniques. It includes updated cases and expands its readership to include the nonprofit sector through its use of examples from nonprofits as well as the international community. Providing an appropriate balance between theory and practical application, practitioners and academics alike will benefit from the new theory of solution-driven benchmarking, an approach that requires less time and fewer resources. Solution-driven methods provide practitioners with a quick and simple way to search for solutions to their most pressing problems.
Book Details:
- Author: Patricia Keehley
- ISBN: 9780470275955
- Year Published: 2008
- Pages: 256
- BISAC: BUS079000, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS/Government & Business
About the Book and Topic:
Based on new research, this second edition provides an updated solution-driven methodology for benchmarking in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Unique in its focus solely on benchmarking, it takes a how-to step-by-step approach to two benchmarking techniques, providing new tools and detail for other entities to replicate those techniques. It includes updated cases and expands its readership to include the nonprofit sector through its use of examples from nonprofits as well as the international community. Providing an appropriate balance between theory and practical application, practitioners and academics alike will benefit from the new theory of solution-driven benchmarking, an approach that requires less time and fewer resources. Solution-driven methods provide practitioners with a quick and simple way to search for solutions to their most pressing problems.
Benchmarking and evaluation are topics of unflagging importance both in the public and nonprofits sectors. This book addresses essential benchmarking issues important to academics and practitioners who are constantly seeking to improve government and nonprofit performance. This second edition fills a need in the literature by virtue of its focus on the government and nonprofit sectors and step-by-step approach to two benchmarking methods, giving the detail necessary for replication of the benchmarking techniques.
Author Platform: Keehley will be using the book in her work with clients through IKON, as well as the required text in her courses both at Southern Utah University and the Graduate School, USDA (which provides thousands of training courses to federal, state, and local government employees; she teaches 200 students/year). She will also promote it through networks such as NASPAA, of which she’s a member. Abercrombie will promote the new edition to the Utah League of Cities and Towns (3,800 individuals) and to the elected officials he works with regularly as a policy analyst. Renewed Interest in Topic: Benchmarking and evaluation are topics of ongoing interest in public and nonprofit management circles, and are taught as a standard piece of most curriculums. Refined Methodology: Over the past 10 years, Keehley has refined and developed a new methodology called “solution-driven benchmarking” that gives readers an alternative to traditional benchmarking methods. This solution-driven method is more appealing both in the U.S. and internationally because it is dependent on leaders, more flexible, and less prescriptive. Expanded Audience, New Cases, More International Appeal: This new edition addresses both the public and nonprofit audiences, broadening the market. It also includes several international cases, ranging from small countries like Guam to municipalities in Australia, Saudi Arabia and China. Teaching Manual: The authors will be compiling a teaching/training manual that will include activites, exercises, and sample syllabi.
About the Author
PATRICIA KEEHLEY has more than 30 years of public and private sector management experience that includes numerous benchmarking projects. She is currently assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at Southern Utah University. She is the founder and president of the iKon Group, inc., a consulting firm specializing in providing performance improvement services to the public and nonprofit sectors. NEIL ABERCROMBIE is a policy analyst for the Utah League of Cities and Towns. He has served as a legislative analyst, campaign coordinator, and is currently working toward his Ph.D. in public administration at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.