Benchmarking Human Resource Development: An Emerging Area of Practice

Ian Smith Manager Human Resources La Trobe University Library Australia

Focus:
Benchmarking core concepts Benchmarking human resource development (HRD) Emergent examples - HRD benchmarking in libraries & information services

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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
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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
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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%
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Aust. & U.K. surveys

Reports:
http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/about/publication s/sd&cpe.pdf http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/about/publication s/is-cpdwl-paper.pdf http://www.cpd25.ac.uk/news.html

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Aust. & U.K. surveys

Next steps: Benchmarking based on the survey findings Using HRD practice examples to develop best practice guidelines

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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
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IFLA CPDWL Section Best Practice Guidelines

6. Recognition of participation in HRD 7. 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
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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
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Benchmarking Human Resource Development: An Emerging Area of Practice

Ian Smith Manager Human Resources La Trobe University Library Australia i.smith@latrobe.edu.au