University of Tasmania, Australia

Benchmarking is an important tool for quality assurance and improvement. Benchmarking activities at UTAS are guided by the University’s adoption of the OADRI cycle of continuous improvement which involves setting objectives, planning and deploying the approach, monitoring and evaluating the results and implementing improvements based on this evaluation.

Benchmarking Policy and Procedures

UTAS is developing a Benchmarking Policy to frame the University’s approach to implementing benchmarking.
A Procedures document is also being prepared.

Benchmarking Activities

The University maintains a Register (PDF 113.0KB)* of benchmarking activities. Completed projects include:

• Benchmarking of Policy Development and Review (PDF 429.8KB)*
• Regional Campus Benchmarking (1.2MB)*

Academic Transition Support for First Year students (with University of Wollongong)

• UTAS Final Report (PDF 1.3MB)*
• Progress Report (PDF 54.6KB)*

Assessment Processes and Policies (with University of Wollongong and Deakin University)

• UTAS Final Report (PDF 1.3MB)*
• UTAS Action Plan (PDF 59.2KB)*
• Peer Review Report (PDF 139.2KB)*

Projects under way include:

• Higher Degree Research (with University of Wollongong and Deakin University)
• Transnational Education (with University of Wollongong)
• Academic Promotions (with Universities of Wollongong, Leicester and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Deakin University)
• Research Training and Research Linkages (with Memorial University, Newfoundland)

* Please note that UTAS staff authentication is required to access the reports above.

References and Resources for Benchmarking

Booth, S. & Frappell, P. (2011, 29 June-1 July). Evaluation criteria and evidence for a self review of higher degree research. Paper presented at the Australian Universities Quality Forum: Demonstrating Quality Conference, Melbourne. Paper  Presentation

Booth, S., Melano, A., Sainsbury, H., & Woodley, L. (2011, 29 June-1 July). Articulating and comparing standards through benchmarking of assessment. Paper presented at the Australian Universities Quality Forum: Demonstrating Quality Conference, Melbourne. Paper  Presentation 

Support for Benchmarking

Advice on benchmarking processes and procedures is available from:

Dr Sara Booth
Telephone: +61 3 6324 3587
Address: Locked Bag 1351 Launceston, Tasmania 7250