Benchmarking Human Resource Development:

An Emerging Area of Practice

Ian Smith

Manager – Human Resources

La Trobe University Library

Australia

Ian Smith

Focus:

• Benchmarking – core concepts

• Benchmarking human resource development (HRD)

• Emergent examples - HRD benchmarking in libraries & information services

Ian Smith

Benchmarking – key elements

• Understanding how processes work

• Identifying good/best practice

• Making improvements to reach identified standards

• Assessment based on review and best practice comparison

Ian Smith

Benchmarking – criticisms

• Comparing practice - value

• Too slow a process

• Lack of understanding

• Mismatch in not-for-profit sector

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Benchmarking Australian libraries

• Client satisfaction

• ILDDS performance • Availability of sought materials

• Cataloguing

• Re-shelving of library materials

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Benchmarking HRD – why?

• HRD - strategic organisational priority

• Continuing assessment/improvement

• Assessment – strategic & practical

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Benchmarking HRD – strategic

• Strategic alignment of HRD

• Resource allocation to HRD

• Focus & content of HRD

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Benchmarking HRD – practical

• Sharing knowledge

• How HRD organised, planned, undertaken

• Successful & unsuccessful experience

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Benchmarking HRD – metrics

1. Expenditure on HRD - % of payroll

2. Time spent undertaking HRD per employee per annum

3. Average HRD cost per participant per hour allocated to HRD

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Benchmarking HRD – metrics

4. % of employees undertaking HRD per annum

5. Average % of positive ratings of HRD by participants

6. Average % of gains reported in learning reported by participants

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Benchmarking HRD – metrics

7. Average % improvement in on-the-job performance as a result of participation in HRD

8. Cost savings and efficiency gains resulting from participation in HRD

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Benchmarking HRD – surveys

• Australia & U.K. – academic & research libraries

• Focus: – patterns of HRD – increase/decrease– program content & focus– evaluation, measuring return on

investment

Ian Smith

Aust. & U.K. surveys

• Findings: – increasing HRD activity– strong commitment & high priority – strategic focus– investment in HRD - budget allocations:

• Australia 0.5% to 2.00%, median 0.8%

• U.K. 0.2% to 2.00% - median 1.1%

Ian Smith

Aust. & U.K. surveys

• Reports: – http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/about/publication

s/sd&cpe.pdf

– http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/about/publications/is-cpdwl-paper.pdf

– http://www.cpd25.ac.uk/news.html

Ian Smith

Aust. & U.K. surveys

• Next steps:

– Benchmarking based on the survey findings

– Using HRD practice examples to develop best practice guidelines

Ian Smith

IFLA CPDWL Section – Best Practice Guidelines

1. Regular learning needs assessment

2. Availability of range of learning opportunities

3. Organisational commitment to HRD

4. Wide dissemination of information - HRD opportunities

5. Alignment of HRD with identified needs – organisational and individual

Ian Smith

IFLA CPDWL Section – Best Practice Guidelines

6. Recognition of participation in HRD7. Budget allocations for HRD – according

with established benchmarks (e.g. UNESCO/IFLA)

8. Time allocation for participation in HRD activities

9. Evaluation of HRD 10.Research into HRD

Ian Smith

IFLA CPDWL Section –Best Practice Guidelines

• For more information on the draft best practice guidelines:

http://www.ifla.org/VII/s43/index.htm

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Current HRD benchmarking - Australia

• Australian academic & research libraries consortium: CAVAL http://www.caval.edu.au/

• Project focus: – Current HRD practice– Identify best practice– Improvement through benchmarking

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Current HRD benchmarking - Australia

• Benchmarks – strategic:

– Strategic alignment – Commonalities – themes/priorities – HRD budget allocation– Time spent on HRD & average cost per hour– % of employees undertaking HRD– Feedback loop from client satisfaction

surveys

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Current HRD benchmarking - Australia

• Benchmarks – practical:

– HRD program planning

– Processes & procedures

– Evaluation & measurement of return on investment

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Current HRD benchmarking - Australia

• Project stages:– Survey – Data analysis & preliminary report– Follow-up interviews– Further data analysis– Reporting & establishment of

benchmarks– Ongoing review

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In conclusion …

• HRD – strategic organisational imperative

• HRD Benchmarking

– simple or complex

– strategic and/or practical

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In conclusion …

• Human resource development benchmarking

– a powerful tool for ensuring good and improving practice

– an emerging trend in the LIS sector

Benchmarking Human Resource Development:

An Emerging Area of Practice

Ian SmithManager – Human Resources

La Trobe University Library Australia

i.smith@latrobe.edu.au