What it is
Standardized measurement and comparison of visits and movement flow across multiple locations over the same period.
Standardized Performance Across Every Location
PORTFOLIO BENCHMARKING.MULTI-SITE PERFORMANCE, COMPARED.
Compare occupancy, traffic, and conversion across your portfolio. Identify top and underperforming locations with consistent, verified data.
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DEFINITION
Portfolio Benchmarking
Portfolio benchmarking means comparing locations across the same portfolio on a shared, audit-ready data foundation—so prioritization is fast and consistent.
What it requires
Shared definitions, stable operations, and traceability—so numbers hold up in internal controls, vendor changes, and audits.
What you get
Decision-grade comparability: ranking, segmentation, and clear variance per location.
METRIC LAYER
What is measured
Benchmarking only works when measurement is consistent across locations. This is the metric layer that makes comparisons decision-grade.
Visits
Unique visits in a defined period, using explicit entry/exit rules and filtering.
- Defined count points per location
- Consistent handling of direction and double-counting
- Quality control and traceability
Flow
Movement between zones or areas, measured with the same method and time resolution.
- Reusable zone definitions
- Comparable time windows (hour/day/week)
- Documented processing rules
Normalization
Adjustment for opening hours, seasonality, and site profile—so comparisons are meaningful.
- Consistent opening-hours definition
- Calendar logic: holidays and exceptions
- Segmentation by site type
Quality signals
Visible data-quality indicators per site, so variance is interpreted correctly.
- Coverage and operational status
- Variance: breaks in series and unusual patterns
- Traceability to sensor, zone, and rule set
The point: measurement must be consistent—otherwise you’re comparing methods, not locations.
AUTHORITY
Why it’s difficult
Portfolio benchmarking fails for one reason: small differences in method become big differences in results. Without control of definitions and operations, the “best site” is often just the “best measured”.
Different definitions
“Visit” does not mean the same thing if count points, zones, or rules vary between sites.
- Entry/exit handled differently
- Filtering and double-counting differ
Operational noise
When sensors move, get blocked, or go down, the benchmark looks “real” but is actually operations.
- Breaks in series and gaps
- Without quality signals, variance becomes political
Normalization that holds
Comparing sites without accounting for opening hours, seasonality, and profile leads to wrong conclusions.
- “Similar” sites are rarely similar
- Requires documented rules, not assumptions
That’s why benchmarking is a method problem before it’s an analytics problem.
OUTCOME LAYER
What it enables
When the portfolio is measured consistently, you can manage across sites: prioritize actions, track impact, and explain variance without method debates.
Audit-ready prioritization
Rank sites on the same definitions and data quality—so capex and actions follow facts.
- Clear “why” behind top/bottom
- Comparable periods and segments
Impact measurement by site
See before/after changes without results getting distorted by seasonality, opening hours, or measurement noise.
- Stable baseline for tests
- Better decisions on what to scale
Portfolio operating model
Make the portfolio manageable with fixed KPIs, clear tolerances, and traceable variance—from site to exec.
- One language across ops and commercial
- Less “Excel politics” in QBRs
When comparisons are correct, you can move from numbers to actions.
USED IN
Where this is used
Portfolio benchmarking becomes valuable when it’s tied to recurring decisions—not a one-off report.
Portfolio governance
Recurring reviews with ranking, variance, and explainability by site.
- QBR / monthly ops
- Standard KPI set across sites
Investment and actions
Prioritize capex and improvements based on proven impact and a comparable baseline.
- Before/after tracking
- Scale what works
Vendor and contract management
Use consistent numbers to evaluate operations, service, and variance—without arguing about the method.
- SLA tracking
- Data quality as a contract requirement
If “Used in” doesn’t map to real decisions, benchmarking becomes reporting without impact.
TRUST
What makes the numbers credible
Benchmarking is used for decisions. Numbers must be traceable, stable, and explainable—especially when something deviates.
Traceability by site
Numbers can be explained back to count point, zone, and rule set—without manual “in-between” work.
- Documented definitions
- Change tracking over time
Data quality as a signal
Quality is made explicit so variance is interpreted correctly—not turned into a “who’s right” debate.
- Coverage, status, and variance per sensor
- Breaks in series are flagged and explained
Stable operations
Benchmarking over time requires operations that don’t drift—same method, same standards, same follow-up.
- Defined routines for control and maintenance
- Changes handled as part of the method
Trust is not a design choice. It’s an operating choice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short, concrete, decision-oriented. For deeper detail, handle it in a technical review.
What’s the minimum to compare sites?
A shared visit definition, the same entry/exit counting approach, and a common filtering rule. Otherwise you’re comparing methods, not performance.
How do you handle opening hours and seasonality?
We normalize to defined opening hours and compare like-for-like periods. Holidays and exceptions are handled as explicit rules—not assumptions.
What happens when a sensor moves or goes down?
It shows up as a quality signal / break in series, so you can tell whether variance is operational or real. That keeps the benchmark interpretable.
Can we benchmark different site types in the same portfolio?
Yes—but not as if they’re the same. Segment by site type and compare within segments before comparing across them.
30+ YEARS OF ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
Transforming Visitor Data
into Business Success
For over 30 years, CountMatters has defined the standard in visitor analytics.
As the original innovators of people counting, we transform foot traffic into business intelligence.
700+
customers using our solutions
100k+
installations
30 Years+
Decades of actionable visitor insights.
Guaranteed Satisfaction
Your success is our goal
Your success is our goal
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