Answer to Question 1
First identify the process to be evaluated and then determine the customer, owner, and supplier of the process. Next customer expectations and requirements are identified, and the process is documented. Performance is measured and compared to customer requirements. Process improvements are identified and implemented, and the process is reevaluated.
Answer to Question 2
Benchmarking is the search for the best industry practices. It involves determining which functions to benchmark, identifying the performance indicators to benchmark, and measuring the performance of the best-performing companies.