Benchmarking
View how to compare growth, efficiency and spend against peers, side by side with actuals and plan, using like-for-like metrics.
How benchmarking works in Drivetrain
Everything builds on benchmarks that live inside your Drivetrain models. From there, compare them with actuals and plan, build the views you need, and keep them up to date.
Compare actuals and plan against external benchmarks
- See actuals, plan and benchmarks side by side in tables and charts on one dashboard.
- Track the variance to benchmark and to plan for each metric, month by month.
Roll up benchmark comparisons by quarter or year
- Switch a monthly view to quarterly or yearly with the roll-up option.
- Drivetrain aggregates actuals and benchmark values at the new level for you.
- Use gauge charts to see performance for a single period at a glance.
Track efficiency and customer acquisition metrics against benchmarks
- Compare growth rate, gross margin and the rule of 40 against benchmarks.
- Track CAC payback, CAC ratios and SaaS magic number the same way.
- Compare against top quartile benchmarks as well as the median.
Build a custom benchmark comparison table
- Add a table to any report and pick the metrics you want to compare.
- Choose the versions to show, such as actuals, plan, median and top quartile benchmarks. Set the time granularity and period for the view.
Update benchmark values when new data arrives
- Keep benchmarks in a Drivetrain model, where you can manage and refresh them.
- Define each metric with the same formula as your benchmark source.
- Enter the latest values in a benchmark version, and the reports that use it update to match.
Create benchmark versions for other peer groups
- Save a new benchmark version for a different percentile or filter, such as an ACV range.
- Pick any benchmark version when you build a report, alongside actuals and plan.
How Drivetrain simplifies benchmarking
See where you lead and where you lag your peers on growth, efficiency and spend.
Keep benchmarks next to actuals and plan in the reports and models you already use.
Calculate every metric the same way as your benchmark source, so comparisons are like for like.
FAQs
Can Drivetrain compare our actuals and plan against industry benchmarks?
Yes. Drivetrain shows benchmarks next to actuals and plan in reports and models, with the variance to each, for metrics such as ARR per employee, expense ratios, growth rate, gross margin, rule of 40, CAC payback and SaaS magic number.
Where does the benchmark data in Drivetrain come from?
You choose. Benchmark values come from the external benchmark providers and reports you use, and are stored as versions in a Drivetrain model.
Can Drivetrain compare us against both median and top quartile benchmarks?
Yes. Each percentile is its own benchmark version, such as median and 75th percentile. You can add more, such as a 90th percentile version or one for a different ACV range.
Can Drivetrain show benchmark comparisons by quarter or year?
Yes. The roll-up option switches a monthly view to quarterly or yearly, and Drivetrain aggregates actuals and benchmark values at that level.
How does Drivetrain keep benchmarks like for like with our own metrics?
By formula. You define each metric in the benchmark model with the same formula as your benchmark source, so actuals, plan and benchmarks are calculated the same way.
How do we update benchmarks in Drivetrain when new data comes out?
Open the benchmark version in the model and enter the latest values. The reports that use that version update to match.
See Drivetrain in action
Fewer spreadsheets, faster planning, better decisions.
