In strategic communication management, benchmarking is critical because it directly supports the improvement of communication effectiveness through the identification of best practices. Option B is correct because benchmarking is not about copying others blindly, but about learning systematically from proven, high-performing approaches and using that insight to strengthen one’s own communication strategy.

Benchmarking allows organizations to compare their communication performance, processes, and outcomes against recognized standards or leading organizations. This comparison highlights performance gaps, strengths, and opportunities for improvement. By understanding what “good” or “excellent” looks like in practice, communication managers can set realistic targets, refine strategies, and improve decision-making based on evidence rather than assumptions.

Strategic communication management emphasizes that benchmarking should inform—not replace—internal analysis and primary research. While observing best-in-class organizations can inspire innovation, benchmarking alone cannot account for differences in culture, resources, stakeholders, or business objectives. Its primary value lies in identifying patterns of success and translating those insights into context-appropriate improvements.

The incorrect options reflect common misconceptions. Benchmarking does not guarantee that practices can be adopted with minimal modification, nor can it replace primary research tailored to the organization’s unique environment. While benchmarking may encourage adoption of new approaches, this is a secondary benefit rather than its core purpose.

By identifying best practices, benchmarking strengthens strategic alignment, supports continuous improvement, and enhances accountability. It enables communication leaders to justify changes, prioritize investments, and demonstrate progress over time. In strategic communication management, this evidence-based improvement function is what makes benchmarking an essential research tool rather than a trend-following exercise.