In many organisations, support services – from catering to other soft-FM functions like cleaning – can easily slip into a business-as-usual pattern. Things appear to run smoothly, there are no loud complaints, and budgets broadly balance. But appearances can be deceptive. When organisations rely solely on gut feel, legacy arrangements or historic performance, they risk overlooking issues that benchmarking would quickly bring to light.
Benchmarking isn’t just a financial exercise or a price comparison tool. Done properly, it provides a clear and objective picture of how well your services are really performing – operationally, financially and against both sector standards and best practice. Without this insight, organisations leave themselves exposed to unnecessary costs, performance shortfalls and, in some cases, compliance concerns.
Here at Litmus, our independent benchmarking shines a light on what’s really happening beneath the surface. Drawing on one of the most comprehensive datasets in the UK, we can compare our clients’ services against regional and national norms, as well as best-in-class performance. Whether as a standalone review or as part of a broader operational audit, our benchmarking enables organisations to make confident, evidence-based decisions about the future of their services.
Ultimately, our purpose is simple: to help organisations secure value, uphold standards and ensure that services fully support both operational demands and strategic priorities.
Services gradually change
Many schools and organisations assume their services are performing well because they’re not hearing negative feedback. But silence doesn’t always equal success. Without objective benchmarking, how can you really know whether your staffing is right-sized, your costs are competitive, your service quality is where it should be, or your delivery model is still fit-for-purpose?
Over time, services often evolve organically – shaped by historical structures, incremental changes and inherited decisions. What may once have been appropriate can gradually drift away from what is efficient or necessary today. Benchmarking helps to break that cycle, replacing assumption with clarity.
What happens when you don’t benchmark?
1. Financial blind spots
Without regular benchmarking, organisations may unknowingly overspend. Benchmarking highlights where spend is misaligned with performance and identifies opportunities for better value. In many cases, improvements can be achieved through redistribution of labour, smarter procurement conversations or simply reshaping how services are delivered – without compromising quality.
2. Quality and compliance exposure
Compliance isn’t optional, and standards are constantly evolving. From food safety and allergen management in catering, to hygiene expectations in cleaning – benchmarking helps organisations understand whether they are genuinely meeting expected standards. Failure to do so can result in reputational damage, failed inspections and even legal consequences.
3. Missed strategic opportunities
The operating environment is changing faster than ever – inflation pressures, workforce challenges, sustainability expectations and shifting user needs all continue to shape service delivery. Organisations that benchmark regularly are better positioned to plan ahead, justify investment, consider alternative delivery models and innovate. Those that don’t risk falling behind, relying on guesswork rather than informed strategy.
Benchmarking done the right way
Benchmarking shouldn’t be viewed as a cost-cutting exercise. At its best, it is about understanding performance, ensuring value, protecting quality and enabling better decisions. The insight we provide the schools and organisations we work with is presented clearly through intuitive digital dashboards, allowing leaders to drill into detail, interrogate the findings and focus on what truly matters.
If you’d like to understand how benchmarking could support your organisation – whether as reassurance, a catalyst for improvement or a foundation for change – we’d be happy to talk.
Find out more about our benchmarking services here.
The Litmus team
