benchmarking
Comparisons of the quality of a service with the performance of others with the aim of assisting improvement and better practice.
best value
The aim of Best Value is to modernise local government management and business practice so that local authorities can deliver better, more responsive public services. It is based on nationally determined indicators to help the local authorities measure, manage, and improve their performance. It looks at quality as well as cost, focussing on achieving success by building on good practice. Essential elements are: sound governance; performance measurement and monitoring; continuous improvement; long-term planning and budgeting. The long term intention is to roll out best value beyond local authorities to other publicly funded organisations.
building capacity
Providing appropriate support to increase the ability of individuals and organisations to contribute more effectively and/or more efficiently to projects. In the case of the museums sector, this usually means developing the capability of people and resources to cope with future plans / changes; strengthening the collective ability of a community; and building the infrastructure of the sector through umbrella bodies and networking groups.
(See also capacity)
business plan
A plan detailing how a particular venture will be organised to implement activities necessary for it to succeed. As well as being used for internal management and planning,it can also be useful in convincing external organisations such as funding bodies to invest money in the venture.
