Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Practice Exam

Which type of benchmarking involves national comparisons?

1. Institutional benchmarking

2. Empirical benchmarking

3. Absolute/Normative benchmarking

4. Competitive benchmarking

The correct answer is: Absolute/Normative benchmarking

Absolute or normative benchmarking is the correct choice because it involves comparing a specific organization's performance metrics against national or industry-wide standards. This type of benchmarking aims to provide a broader view of best practices and performance expectations. In the context of continuous quality improvement, absolute benchmarking helps organizations understand their standing relative to national norms, allowing them to identify areas where they may be underperforming compared to benchmarks set by leading entities in their field or sector. This can be extremely valuable for setting improvement targets and developing strategies for operational excellence. The other types of benchmarking focus on different scopes: institutional benchmarking typically compares performance within similar types of organizations rather than across the nation, empirical benchmarking often relies on the collection of data for analysis rather than broad criteria, and competitive benchmarking is specific to comparing performance against direct competitors rather than the wider national landscape.