Benchmarking and efficient program delivery for the United States Department of Defense's business-like activities

In recent years, the concept of total quality management (TQM) has been infused into many government operations. A key component of TQM is benchmarking. William F. (Bud) Bowlin illustrates an internal benchmarking approach using a methodology called data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Department of Defense commissary data. By using DEA, an analyst is able to identify superior performance, quantify performance gaps, and contribute to continuous improvement.