Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business
Lesson Topic: the importance of benchmarking in quality management
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe what benchmarking is and its role in quality management.
  • Explain the different types of benchmarking and when each is appropriate.
  • Analyse a benchmarking gap using simple performance metrics.
  • Develop a basic benchmarking plan for a chosen quality indicator.
  • Evaluate common pitfalls and propose strategies to avoid them.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handout summarising benchmarking steps and types
  • Sample data sheet (defect rates) for group activity
  • Sticky notes for brainstorming
  • Laptop with internet access for quick research
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: how many students have compared their school’s cafeteria service to another school’s? This links to prior experience of comparing performance. Explain that today we will explore benchmarking as a systematic way to improve quality, and by the end you will be able to design a simple benchmarking plan and identify improvement gaps.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students list examples of “best‑in‑class” products/services and share briefly.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Define benchmarking, its importance, and the four types using slides.
  3. Group activity (15') – Using sample defect‑rate data, calculate the performance gap and discuss implications.
  4. Planning workshop (15') – Teams create a three‑step benchmarking plan for a chosen quality metric on a handout.
  5. Gallery walk & feedback (10') – Groups display plans; peers provide one improvement suggestion.
  6. Check for understanding (5') – Quick quiz/exit ticket on key concepts.
Conclusion:
Recap that benchmarking offers a structured path from identifying gaps to continuous improvement. For the exit ticket, each student writes one benefit and one pitfall of benchmarking. Homework: research a real company’s benchmarking case and prepare a brief summary to share next lesson.