Since 2003, Vodacom has been systematically and permanently collecting data on the performance of local water utilities, and thus it has established a system of performance indicators monitored on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
This enables creating a real image of business operation of a water utility, i.e. the benchmarking process is a way to an "encounter with reality." Based on the information obtained through benchmarking, water utility management can see which segment of its operation needs further efforts and resources so as to meet the required standards.
Through benchmarking a utility may:
- Compare its efficiency with the efficiency of other water utilities;
- Identify problems in its performance;
- Make proper business decisions;
- Define performance goals;
- Focus its activities on achieving set goals, etc.
Vodacom has a long-standing tradition of organizing presentations of annual benchmarking performance indicators of the water utilities (ViKs), members of Vodacom, with the aim of encouraging these to use benchmarking as a key to continuous improvement of their performance. Owing to benchmarking, ViKs and Vodacom have created a database over the course of the past 14 years.
