Data, metrics and benchmarking
One of the potential conclusions of the work of the IPOD team, may be that the IP office needs to improve its data collection and the analysis and reporting of metrics on the operations of the office in relation to its mandate. Much of the analysis and many of the conclusions and recommendations of the IPOD report should be based on sound data collection and analysis. In some cases, the data (and the metrics) used may be collected for the first time in the office by the IPOD team. It is a fundamental premise of the diagnostic process that good data collection and sound metrics based on this data are essential elements of ensuring the efficient and effective operations of an IP office. The IPOD Project may also identify improved collection and use of data relating to applicants to identify desirable improvement and better targeting of services.
Beyond improving the data collection and metrics of the IP office, there may also need to be some discussion in the IPOD report of the possibilities of using benchmarking with other IP offices to identify performance levels and standards for the office. Benchmarking is a well-known tool used by many organizations to provide context and validation for the performance measures used by the office. The standardized nature of IP rights across regions and between countries provides an ideal environment for useful benchmarking activities between IP offices. Benchmarking can significantly improve the understanding within an IP office of how it is managing its workflows and processes and where it has opportunities to do things differently and achieve measurable improvements in outcomes.