If Only We Knew What We Know: Identification and Transfer of Internal Best Practices

One of the most effective avenues toward improvement is the process of internal benchmarking—identifying, sharing, and using the knowledge and practices inside one's organization. But the process can be tricky and time consuming because of obstacles such as ignorance about resources or others' needs, a culture that values personal expertise more than knowledge sharing, and a lack of resources for implementation of best practices. This article explores how organizations conduct successful internal benchmarking, relating details ranging from requirements for successful transfer to lessons learned.