Benchmark

A Benchmark can be considered as a point in time statement of the status of your data centre infrastructure. A Benchmark is a normal considered output from an Assessment, which is a process for analysing and reporting on the status of your infrastructure. Refer to Assessment for further information.

Benchmarks should be created using a standard, consistent and repeatable process that ensures that comparison between benchmarks is meaningful.

The benchmarkl approach is important when planning long term changes for your infrastructure. This is becuase it is important to understand the starting point of your plan in order to develop strategy effctively.

Avoid the temptation of considering benchmarking as unimportant as you already know the status of your current operational environment. When bidding for resources, especially when budgets are constrained, the use of benchmarking comparisons can be helpful to establish return on investment and set expectations for future investment returns.

Baselining is synonomous with benchmarking.