The Power of Peer Comparison: Turning Data into Executive Influence

As we head into the new year, resilience leaders face growing pressure to define priorities, secure resources, and prove the value of their programs. Business continuity, IT disaster recovery, crisis management, cyber resiliency, and third-party/supplier risk initiatives are all under the microscope. Executives and boards want answers to tough questions:

• How does our program compare to peers?

• Are we investing at the right levels?

• What maturity benchmarks should we target next year?

• Do we have the right resources in place to deliver results?

  
  

For resilience professionals, these questions come at a pivotal moment. Budget cycles are closing, leadership teams are setting strategic priorities, and the competition for resources is fierce. The challenge is clear: you must not only advocate for your program but also back up your recommendations with credible, compelling evidence.

And the most effective way to do that is with benchmarking data.

Why Benchmarking Matters

Internal reporting can showcase progress, but executives don’t just want to know how your program is performing; they want to know how it stacks up against peers in the industry. Benchmarking provides that context.

According to industry surveys, more than 70% of organizations leverage benchmarking data when assessing resilience program maturity and investment levels. Why? Because it gives decision-makers confidence that recommendations are not based on opinion, but on proven, peer-aligned evidence.

Executives are particularly receptive to data that frames your program in a broader industry context. When you can demonstrate, for example, that peer organizations are investing 30% more in crisis management technology or dedicating twice as many FTEs to business continuity, it changes the tone of the conversation. Suddenly, you’re not just asking for more resources, you’re showing where underinvestment creates real business risk.

Benchmarking data also provides insight into program budgets, staffing, governance, technology adoption, and maturity levels across key resilience domains. Shared with executives, these insights elevate conversations from “how much will this cost?” to “what is the risk of not investing?”

Why Now Is the Right Time

With 2026 planning cycles already in motion, benchmarking before year-end gives resilience leaders a powerful edge:

• Set Data-Driven Goals – Shape measurable objectives and maturity targets for the coming year with confidence that they reflect peer best practices.

• Strengthen the Case for Investment – Validate whether your budget and staffing align with peer organizations, or highlight where gaps expose the business to unacceptable risk.

• Build a Roadmap for Growth – Use benchmarking insights to prioritize the capabilities that matter most and phase in initiatives with tangible ROI.

• Showcase Program Value – Provide executives with evidence-backed recommendations that reinforce confidence in your leadership and your program’s direction.

  
  

This isn’t about copying competitors. It’s about arming yourself with credible data to inform decisions, highlight risks, and identify opportunities for meaningful maturity growth.

Beyond the Numbers

The real value of benchmarking isn’t just the numbers, it’s how you apply them. Resilience leaders who integrate benchmarking into their annual planning cycles are better equipped to:

• Translate findings into actionable roadmaps tailored to business priorities

• Identify and respond to emerging resilience trends before peers

• Bolster credibility in board, audit, and regulator discussions

• Foster cross-departmental alignment by grounding decisions in objective data

In short, benchmarking turns assumptions into evidence, and evidence into influence. View a sample benchmarking report.

As we head into 2026, resilience leaders who walk into budget and strategy discussions armed with external benchmarking data will have a stronger seat at the table. Executives want proof. Boards want confidence. Benchmarking provides both.

Resilience360 Advisory partners with organizations and professionals across the resilience ecosystem to deliver actionable data, insights, and talent solutions. Through customized benchmarking reports, complimentary industry-wide insights, and a trusted network of consulting and recruitment resources, we help programs define their roadmaps, secure resources, and find the right talent. Whether you need evidence to support executive discussions, clarity on competitive compensation, or supplemental staffing and recruitment support, our team provides practical, data-driven guidance rooted in over 25 years of industry expertise.  Learn more at Resilience360 Advisory