Internal benchmarking tracks activities and is extremely important to measure and assess progress toward one's goals. External benchmarking is generally a case of chasing the other guy's tail. If external benchmark data can be validated then those data will also have great value and may influence decisions.

Success is based on achieving many small goals, and castles are built one stone at a time. Of course having 1000 competent workmen on a project does not hurt, especially if they are working with a sense of urgency under competent supervisors and with a well planned blueprint.

At the start of a project, planning is 100% of the work, but when one is implementing the plan and doing the work it rapidly consumes less time, as long as the plan is reviewed to ensure it remains viable, and the work being done is appropriately monitored.

Some staff never seem to wait for required information and data before making decisions and initiating actions. It is essential to identfiy these people and to speak with them about jumping too soon. Of course the opposite extreme is also a major issue or problem.