Benchmarking has long been one of the most valuable tools for higher education leaders. By comparing operational and academic performance against peers, institutions can identify strengths, uncover efficiency gaps, and plan for the future with greater confidence.

But traditional benchmarking has its limitations. Annual reports are often delivered as static PDFs or spreadsheets, with access restricted to a handful of people. That means insights can be lost in translation, locked away from the broader decision-making community.

At Pilbara, we’ve reimagined this process.

From Static to Strategic

Our benchmarking is still built on the foundation of comprehensive annual models — because the depth and rigour of these models provide unmatched accuracy.

What’s new is how we use AI to extract more value from those models. Our AI-powered analytics can:

• Identify patterns and outliers across multiple institutions.
• Highlight improvement opportunities that may be invisible in raw tables.
• Present findings in ways tailored to different stakeholders, from executives to operational teams.

The result? Benchmarking becomes not just a point-in-time reference, but a springboard for ongoing strategy.

Why Snowflake Matters

Snowflake is the foundation that makes our AI-enhanced benchmarking possible. Its scalability and flexibility allow us to run sophisticated analytics across the sector and surface insights that traditional platforms can’t handle.

For our client models, Snowflake also transforms how results are shared and accessed:

• We can deliver model outputs directly into a client’s own Snowflake environment, keeping data secure and under their control.
• Alternatively, clients can connect their existing BI tools straight to Snowflake, giving them full flexibility in how they explore results.
• Because access is managed through Snowflake, institutions can have unlimited reporting users — removing the barrier of per-seat licensing.

Importantly, benchmarking is available to all Pilbara customers who have built a Pilbara Insights model, extending the value of their existing investment.

The result? Benchmarking data isn’t a static report — it’s a living, AI-powered resource.

The Payoff

By combining AI-enhanced analysis with Snowflake-powered access, benchmarking becomes more:

• Inclusive – everyone who needs the data can get it.
• Secure – data never leaves the client’s governance boundary.
• Actionable – insights are ready to inform real decisions, not just to be read.

Looking Ahead

As higher education faces growing complexity — from funding pressures to evolving student needs — having the right comparative intelligence is essential. We believe AI and modern data platforms will make benchmarking an even more powerful tool for leaders.

If you could put your institution’s benchmarking results in the hands of every decision-maker tomorrow, what opportunities would you uncover?