Last updated July 2010
Businesses have been benchmarking since the early 90's in order to develop new strategic direction and to improve performance. Over the past 6 years, Towards Maturity have been applying best practice benchmark principles to help L&D departments do the same.
The Towards Maturity Benchmark is considered the most comprehensive independent review of the use of learning technologies in the workplace in the UK and it's performance indicators and best practice benchmarks have been developed through the participation of 1100 organisations to date and wide industry collaboration.
The 2010 Benchmark is now live ( until 31st July) and you can take part for free here ( or find out more here).
The benchmark considers how organisations are using technology innovation to meet changing business skills needs and also reviews changes in use of technology, drivers and results, barriers and the implementation practices that directly correlate to results.
The purpose of benchmarking is to encourage ongoing improvement
The TM benchmark considers a number of performance indicators that represent the impact in the workplace and has developed best practice benchmarks (reflected by the Towards Maturity Model) to support ongoing improvement.
TM provides each participant with a personalised benchmark report, together with links to helpful resources to support their journey with learning technologies. For those who are looking for extra support on their journey, we also offer stakeholder engagement workshops and advisory services.
You can find out what people are saying who have been through the process.
Current Towards Maturity benchmarks
The full Towards Maturity Benchmark is conducted every other year, the next one is now in progress and is aimed at those responsible for implementing learning technologies in the workplace. You can take part here and can follow news of the project and contribute via Twitter using the tag #TMB10.
Previous Benchmarks
The last full benchmark survey, - Driving Business Benefits - was published in Jan 09 with a record participation. The results were launched at Learning Technologies 09 and are available for download for all registered users of this site.
The original benchmark research projects , by Howard Hills and Laura Overton from the Towards Maturity team can also be downloaded here:
- Towards Maturity - - 07 Overton, Hills, Dixon (published by e-skills UK)
- Linking learning to business – 04 – Overton ( published by elearning age)
- e-learning in large organisations 05 – Hills (published by UfI)
In 2009, Towards Maturity conducted 2 additional benchmark surveys:
- The Towards Maturity Efficiency Indicator - a short survey to dig deep into important performance indicators that highlight how technologies can help L&D departments deliver business impact and improve efficiency ( supported by Becta)
- The Towards Maturity Full benchmark for Third Sector Organisations looking at the use of learning technologies in charities and not for profit organisations ( supported by the Charity Learning Consortium).
Industry support
The Towards Maturity industry benchmark represents an outstanding industry collaboration to ensure that the benchmark process continually reflects the changing business and technical environments that L&D teams need to thrive within. Find out who is involved here.
Here are some comments from previous benchmarks:
''Once again, we are proud to support Towards Maturity’s 2008 benchmark review. This comprehensive research programme has been running for 4 years now and we’ve found that it not only is one of the most reliable indicators of the trends in e-learning adoption for the UK but it also provides practical benchmarks for individual participants wanting to improve the impact of learning technologies in their own workplace.'' Donald H Taylor – chair of Learning Technologies and Learning and Skills group
''The eLearning Network is a keen supporter of the Towards Maturity research, which does so much to spread good practice and to highlight the issues that need addressing if e-learning is to achieve its full potential'' Clive Shepherd, Chair, eLearning Network
‘This impressive, powerful and comprehensive piece of research is exactly the right instrument to investigate and benchmark the maturity of e-learning nationally; the BILD is happy to endorse, promote and support it fully.’ Jack Wills. Chair The British Institute for Learning and Development (BILD)
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about taking part in a Towards Maturity Benchmark review or how the Towards Maturity team can help you use your personalised benchmark results to help you improve impact of e-learning in your organisation, then contact us at e-learning@towardsmaturity.org.
