Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Practice Exam

Which term refers to comparisons made over time within the same organization?

1. Empirical benchmarking

2. Institutional benchmarking

3. Absolute benchmarking

4. Competitive benchmarking

The correct answer is: Institutional benchmarking

The term that refers to comparisons made over time within the same organization is institutional benchmarking. This approach focuses on evaluating and measuring performance metrics internally over different time periods to assess improvement, progress, or deterioration of processes and outcomes. By examining historical data within the same organization, stakeholders can identify patterns, trends, and changes that inform continuous quality improvement efforts. Institutional benchmarking is particularly valuable because it provides context-specific insights that may not be available when comparing to external organizations. It allows organizations to set goals and standards based on their past performance, leading to more tailored and relevant improvements that align with their operational realities. In contrast, empirical benchmarking would imply using empirical data points from various sources, which may not exclusively focus on the same organization. Absolute benchmarking generally sets performance against a fixed standard or criterion, often external, rather than the organization's historical performance. Competitive benchmarking involves comparing one organization's performance with that of similar organizations or competitors, which is not focused on internal historical analysis.