DLA Drops Benchmarking

DLA Drops Benchmarking

The Defense Logistics Agency has ended one of its benchmarking efforts because it doesn't have the money to support it, according to the Government Performance Report, a newsletter published by Federal Employees News Digest.

After one year of benchmarking internal management practices, the Defense Contract Management Command, the DLA service that handles contracting, put the program on hold November 20 when money was reshuffled within DCMC to other programs. Six of the seven benchmarking teams that had been established were disbanded. The seventh, which is exploring how field offices use distributed computing, will complete its survey of sites in March.

The first phase of the benchmarking program focused on how different units within DCMC operate. The second phase, which will not be implemented, would have compared DCMC operations with private-sector business practices.

Stephanie Strohbeck, who coordinated the teams, said DCMC would explore other reinventing government techniques, saying that "benchmarking is just one tool in the toolbox."

NEXT STORY: Quote/Unquote