How Your Best-fit Benchmark is Determined

What we're optimising for

Novata finds the most specific peer group the data supports and communicates exactly how precise that match is via a score from 1 (most specific) to 16 (least specific). We review your SASB SICS sector, sub-sector, industry, number of FTE, and region in order to find the most relevant benchmark.

Matching hierarchy

Benchmarks are organized into four levels of industry specificity, following the SASB SICS classification framework. The system always searches from most to least specific, returning the first level where data exists.

Within each level, the system also tries to match your company's size band (FTE category) and geography. The combination of hierarchy level, size match, and region match produces the final score.

How we search for the best fit benchmark

For each metric, Novata runs a prioritized search sequence and stops as soon as a match is found.

1. Start at Industry level. Search for benchmarks matching your exact SASB industry code, FTE size band, and region.
2. Relax size or region. If no exact match, try size only, region only, then neither — still at Industry level.
3. Move up the hierarchy. If no Industry benchmark exists, repeat the search at Sub-sector, then Sector, then Universal.
4. Return the first match found. The resulting match level (1–16) reflects precisely where the waterfall stopped.

Match level scoring (1–16)

Interpreting these results

A score of 1 means Novata found benchmark data from companies in your exact industry, size band, and region. A score of 16 means no industry- or size-specific data was available and the result reflects a fully aggregated global average. The score is always visible so you can weigh the result accordingly.