Benchmarking to improve the performance in Lithuanian municipalities

Benchmarking is a term often used for the comparison of one municipality against others, particularly those that are considered to be operating at the highest level. The purpose of benchmarking is twofold: first, the municipality is able to see how it compares against those, whose performance it wishes to emulate; second, it allows the municipality to benefit from the experience of the peak-performers, whether it be in process or managerial practices. Benchmarking against established management standards may be useful for organizations, particularly if the organizations' activities are such that their counterparts in the private sector would be difficult to find. However, it should be understood that a greater benefit is likely to result from direct comparison to a local government that is a recognized leader in the specific field. The present article presents an analysis of the following issues: 1. Benchmarking in Lithuanian municipalities. 2. 'The benefits of benchmarking. 3. The future of benchmarking. 4. Benchmarking methods. 5. Performance indicators in municipalities.