The difference between research and IT benchmarking

How research and benchmark data differ (explained by an avatar)

What cannot be measured cannot be managed. It’s also more important to understand how and what is measured. Using the example of what a car costs, we’ll present the different measuring instruments and their application in research and benchmarking today. So much can already be revealed: the degree of difficulty makes the difference.

How much does a car cost? The research department answers this question very generally and gives a wide range for a mid-range vehicle. The average vehicle price in our example is 38,500 euros.

Benchmarks answer the question by collecting and factoring in all relevant cost drivers such as engine and equipment variants. In our example, a vehicle model "M" with the desired engine of 150 horse power with a business package and the trailer hitch as an extra in metallic silver costs around 52,500 euros.

The difference between the values from research and benchmarking lies in the detail: research provides quick and general price information, while benchmarks provide values with a high degree of accuracy which are suitable for pricing.

Let's transfer this process to the question of what an IT workplace costs: Research provides general comparison values for workplace costs from different companies. In contrast, the benchmarker provides values made up of individual performance components of the workstations. These include hardware, printers, email, software, collaboration tools and support.

Our conclusion: Research values can be a first clue. But considering the cost drivers in a benchmark enables a well-founded, fair analysis. In this way, deviations from market prices and optimization potential can be determined precisely.

We would be happy to help you compare your IT workplace with the market. We look forward to hearing from you!