Improving the product development process 355 Clearly define Benchmarking objectives dentify Companies and individuals that can act as execute Data collection Analyse and impleme Fig 8.2 Basic steps in benchmarking Published materials. Case studies, industry surveys and research into R&D methodology and practie primary data. These materials can also be used to prepare a list of potential benchmarking part Databases. For example those prepared by the Industrial Research Institute (IRD)in the USA, provide an excellent source of information on level of spending on R&D, number of r&D employees, number of patents granted etc. Regular summaries of these data are presented in the Journal of research Technology Management• Published materials. Case studies, industry surveys and research into R&D management methodology and practices provide an excellent source of primary data. These materials can also be used to prepare a list of potential benchmarking partners. • Databases. For example those prepared by the Industrial Research Institute (IRI) in the USA, provide an excellent source of information on level of spending on R&D, number of R&D employees, number of patents granted, etc. Regular summaries of these data are presented in the Journal of Research – Technology Management. Fig. 8.2 Basic steps in benchmarking. Improving the product development process 355