Before creating a benchmark, you first need to select the method of creating the benchmark. There are 3 methods to create a benchmark. Each one has its pros and cons, however, you are encouraged to pick the one that makes the most sense for each role.

The individual method: 1 person who knows the day-to-day realities of the job but is not an incumbent, completes the Job Survey. This allows them to prioritize traits to create a benchmark.

• Pro: Speed – the Job Survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
• Con: The benchmark may reflect the bias of the respondent.

The stakeholder method: Multiple people who know the day-to-day realities of the job but are not incumbents, each complete a Job Survey separately. This will result in multiple benchmarks to be compared, in order to determine the final benchmark.

• Pro: This method builds consensus among stakeholders and reduces bias.
• Con: This method will take more time and management of the process than the individual method.

The top performer method: High performing incumbents of the position complete the Word Survey. The results are reviewed to uncover common personality traits that lead to success in the role.  Those traits are then used to make up the final benchmark.

• Pro: This method eliminates bias and subjectivity as it is based on actual performance.
• Cons: A large sample size of incumbents is required to determine patterns. This method will take more time and management of the process than the individual method.

Note: Some customers combine the stakeholder and top performer methods to develop benchmarks.

Note: Make sure Benchmarks are enabled in your account by going to the settings link and toggle on Benchmarks under McQuaig Labs.

Create a benchmark using the individual method:

1. Click the Benchmark link
2. Click +Add Benchmark tab
3. Click the Edit pencil icon
4. Enter the Job Title of the benchmark
5. Click into the appropriate group 
6. Click the Save icon
7. Click +Stakeholder tab
8. Click the hyperlink to Select from Existing Stakeholders or click +Add tab to add new recipient
9. Enter a date in the Benchmark Deadline field and click Start
   • Note: Once the recipient completes the Job Survey, the benchmark is created and you will see the Reference and Composite Scores graph.
10. Click Set tab under the Composite Scores graph

Create a benchmark using the stakeholder method:

1. Click the Benchmark link
2. Click +Add Benchmark tab
3. Click the Edit pencil icon
4. Enter the Job Title of the benchmark
5. Click into the appropriate group 
6. Click the Save icon
7. Click +Add Stakeholder tab
8. Click the hyperlink to Select from Existing Stakeholders to add as many recipients or click +Add tab to add new recipients
9. Enter a date in the Benchmark Deadline field and click Start
   
   • Note: Once the recipients complete the Job Survey, the benchmark is created and you will see the Reference and the Composite Scores graphs.
   • Click Set tab under the Composite Scores graph

Create a benchmark using the top performer method:

1. Click the Benchmark link
2. Click +Add Benchmark tab
3. Click the Edit pencil icon
4. Enter the Job Title of the benchmark
5. Click into the appropriate group 
6. Click the Save icon
7. Click the +Top Performer(s) tab
8. Select the recipients by using the Filter by option and click Add.  Or click the hyperlink Send New to add as many recipients
9. Enter a date in the Benchmark Deadline field and click Start
   
   • Note: Once the recipients complete the Word Survey, the benchmark is created and you will see the Reference and the Composite Scores graphs.
10. Click Set tab under the Composite Scores graph