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Case Studies

See how mission-driven organisations use ProBench to run scalable, credible benchmarking programmes — in their own words.

Sustainability Carbon Markets Claims Reporting
1 year of implementation
VCMI

Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative

Use Case: Claims Reporting Platform

🎯 Challenge

VCMI plays a leading role in enabling high-integrity carbon markets through the credible use of high-quality carbon credits. To do this, they needed a digital platform that allows companies to apply for a VCMI Claim — a recognition that signals climate leadership based on VCMI's Claims Code of Practice. Before Probench, there was no manual process to replace — VCMI launched its claims process digitally from day one. Designing this from scratch would have meant building Excel-based surveys, managing manual data collection via email, and coordinating review loops — all highly time-consuming.

💡 Solution

VCMI chose Probench for its off-the-shelf flexibility, trusted by many mission-driven organizations. Within weeks, Probench was configured into the VCMI Claims Reporting Platform, allowing VCMI to:

  • Host dynamic claims questionnaires
  • Let companies start, save, and submit applications online
  • Receive feedback directly through the platform
  • Collaborate with independent verifiers securely to review and flag questions directly
  • Track progress and flag issues efficiently

And it worked — right out of the box.

⚙️ Results After One Year

  • 3 companies successfully awarded official VCMI Claims via the platform
  • 10+ more companies initiated applications via the platform
  • 30–40 hrs of manual work saved per application / company
  • 1–2 wks of manual effort saved per company in internal resource costs
  • ↑ Transparency and reduced back-and-forth via automated flagging & submission tools
  • ~30% reduction in verification time through seamless collaboration with third-party verifiers

"The Probench platform has made it significantly easier to track, collect, and verify company applications. It saves us time and provides structure that manual tools never could. One especially valuable feature has been the flag function, which streamlines collaboration with third-party verifiers and reduces confusion."

— Aisha Rodriguez, VCMI

🔗 Unexpected Bonus: Smooth Third-Party Collaboration

Probench's flag function allowed third-party verifiers to mark specific questions during their reviews. No long email threads. No confusion about "which cell" or "which version." Just clarity and accountability — all in one system.

"It's been incredibly helpful to let verifiers work directly in the system. They can flag issues, and applicants know exactly what to fix. That wasn't something we originally aimed for, but it's made the process even more efficient."

— Aisha Rodriguez, VCMI

🌱 Looking Forward

VCMI continues to evolve their questionnaire annually, adding new requirements as carbon market standards develop. With Probench, these updates can be implemented quickly without disrupting the user experience — transforming VCMI from a manual, email-based operation into a streamlined digital standard-setter.

Sustainable Investment ESG Research Index Assessment
3 years and ongoing
FAIRR

The Coller FAIRR Initiative

Use Case: Increasing Efficiency of Protein Producer Index

Established by the Jeremy Coller Foundation, the FAIRR Initiative is an investor network that raises awareness of the ESG risks and opportunities brought about by intensive animal agriculture. The Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index assesses 60 of the largest, listed global meat, dairy and aquaculture companies on ten critical ESG risk and opportunity factors, tracking company performance since 2019.

🎯 Challenge

Before adopting Probench, FAIRR's ESG index assessments were conducted manually using Excel. This presented several limitations:

  • No audit trail for versioning or accountability
  • Difficulty in scaling assessments beyond ~60 companies
  • Inefficiencies and human error risks with conditional logic
  • Friction in collaboration between internal teams and external assessment contractors

FAIRR needed a platform that would help them professionalize, industrialize, and scale their assessment process while reducing the operational burden on their team.

💡 Solution: Why FAIRR Chose Probench

  • Audit Trail — track every change by user and time
  • Conditional Logic — simplifies survey navigation with intelligent branching
  • Collaborative Review Tools — analysts can comment and interact on specific questions
  • Improved Vendor Coordination — seamless engagement with Sustainometrics (their assessment partner)
  • Data Clarity & Guidance Integration — improved assessment quality and alignment with ESG frameworks

⚙️ Implementation Highlights

FAIRR onboarded Probench primarily to run its ESG Index assessments, conducting assessments for 60+ companies annually. Probench enabled the FAIRR team and its external contractor to work within a single environment, eliminating the need to exchange dozens of Excel files.

⚙️ Results & Impact

  • 4 years consecutive index completions with 60+ companies annually
  • 4 → 2 analysts needed — increased efficiency
  • ~£76,000 estimated savings over 2 years
  • ↓ errors reduced significantly via centralised data collection

"Probench is the most user-friendly platform I've worked with, especially compared to CDP and GRI. Its conditional logic and structure made assessment completion a breeze."

— Sustainability Consultant (via FAIRR)

"We've really appreciated your support—always responsive and helpful, even when we've been slow to respond. It feels like we have true partners backing us."

— Harry White, Index Team, FAIRR

🔗 Unexpected Benefit

While Probench's audit trail was expected to support transparency with external stakeholders, FAIRR discovered that it also improved internal collaboration — minimising confusion, rework, and improving team accountability, even during staff transitions.

"It became easier to hand over assessments between team members because of the timestamped version history. We hadn't initially considered that benefit, but it's now essential to our workflows."

🌱 Looking Forward

FAIRR continues to evolve their questionnaire annually, also adding new assessments from other departments as they see the benefits of using Probench. The platform has transformed FAIRR from a manual, Excel-based operation to a streamlined digital web-based operation, helping FAIRR scale while increasing their efficiency.

Sustainable Nutrition Global Benchmarking Multi-Index Assessment
Since 2017 and ongoing
ATNi

Access to Nutrition Initiative

Use Case: Secure platform for multiple indexes & assessments globally

ATNi (Access to Nutrition initiative) is a global foundation actively challenging the food industry, investors and policymakers to shape healthier food systems — analysing and translating data into actionable insights, driving finance, partnerships and innovations for market transformation so that all people have access to nutritious and sustainable food. Their flagship initiatives include the Global Index, Spotlight Index, and Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) Index. To manage their data-heavy, multi-stakeholder evaluations, ATNi adopted Probench as their core platform for digital data collection, structured analysis, and stakeholder feedback.

🎯 Challenge

As a global leader in nutrition benchmarking, ATNi needed a secure and scalable solution to collect, manage, and analyze sensitive data from hundreds of companies worldwide. Their Excel-based workflows were becoming inefficient, error-prone, and time-consuming — especially with increasing complexity in methodology and the need for parallel assessments across regions. Key issues:

  • Manual coordination delays
  • Inefficient peer review and publication process
  • High dependency on external technical systems
  • Critical need for data security under NDAs

💡 Solution: Why Probench

ATNi chose Probench, a benchmarking automation platform built for public and self-assessment workflows. Probench offered:

  • Robust data security for NDA-protected submissions
  • Multi-survey handling across global projects
  • Peer-review functionality to streamline research workflows
  • Customization and agility, adapting to ATNi's evolving methodology

This allowed ATNi to transition from a waterfall model to an agile, iterative process — enhancing speed and flexibility.

⚙️ Implementation Highlights

  • Survey preparation time cut in half — setup time reduced from 8 weeks to 4 weeks, thanks to standardized templates and expert support
  • Parallel assessments enabled simultaneously across different regions
  • Improved data structuring — enhanced peer-review and data visualization with built-in export and scoring tools
  • Seamless collaboration — the Probench team became a thinking partner, helping optimize ATNi's workflows

📊 Indexes Powered by Probench

🌍 Global and Regional Indexes

  • Global Index — launched in 2017 with 22 companies, today assesses 30 leading food and beverage companies worldwide
  • US Index — initiated in 2018 with 10 companies, currently evaluates 11 major U.S. companies
  • India Index — started in 2017 with 10 companies, now covers 20 companies in India's nutrition landscape

🍼 Infant Nutrition & BMS Monitoring

  • BMS Marketing Global Index — rolled out in 2018 with 9 companies, since expanded to 18 companies
  • Complementary Foods (CF) Marketing Index — launched in 2021 with 9 companies, currently evaluates 10 companies

🛒 Retail and Market Assessments

  • UK Retailer Index (2022) — snapshot of 11 major UK retailers
  • Kenya Market Assessment (2025) — comprehensive review of 30 companies in the Kenyan food market
  • Tanzania Market Assessment (2025) — evaluated 21 companies across the Tanzanian market
  • Edible Oil Supplier Index (2025) — focused analysis of 8 key edible oil suppliers

⚙️ Results & Impact

  • 40% time saved in data collection-to-publication process
  • 50% reduction in manual interventions for data structuring
  • 0 hrs platform training needed for participants due to intuitive UX
  • Streamlined dataset generation supporting faster insights

"The platform is secure, reliable, and incredibly intuitive. What really stands out is the collaboration we've grown with Probench. It's not just a tool, it's part of how we think about our processes."

— Aurélie Reynier, Head of MEL and Data, ATNi

"We have had the pleasure of working with 73Bit for several years, and their expertise and adaptability have been truly invaluable. They take the time to understand our needs and consistently deliver thoughtful, effective solutions. Thanks to their support, we have been able to bring our surveys online, making our assessments of food companies more efficient. Since 2017, Probench has been an essential tool for creating and managing our surveys for the Indexes. Its centralized features have streamlined our processes, while custom algorithms have enhanced data analysis, giving us deeper insights. The peer review sheets they developed are also significantly supporting our research process. Their flexibility, responsiveness, and dedication to quality make them a trusted and highly valued partner."

— Aurélie Reynier, Head of MEL and Data, ATNi

🔗 Unexpected Benefit

The community and co-learning aspect emerged as an unexpected bonus. Strategic conversations with the Probench team helped ATNi refine internal workflows, improve clarity in assessments, and explore innovations such as AI-powered analysis. Since 73bit have been in this space for more than a decade, they cater to other clients doing similar work in other spaces like DEI, Mental Health at Workplace, Talent Inclusion, LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Diversity Projects, Racial Justice, Workforce Disclosure, Child Rights, Biodiversity, Responsible Investments, and Animal Welfare.

🌱 Looking Forward

ATNi is now exploring advanced visualizations, further AI integration, and expanding assessments in new geographies — all powered by Probench's flexible infrastructure and continuous support.

Corporate Benchmarking Multi-Index Assessment Document Management
Since 2015 and ongoing
Chronos Sustainability

Chronos Sustainability Ltd.

Use Case: A secured and robust platform to conduct multiple indexes & assessments efficiently

Chronos Sustainability (Chronos), a leading architect of benchmarks and trusted research partner to investor, corporate and civil society clients, sought to streamline and professionalise its company benchmarking process by adopting a single, integrated platform designed to enhance data management, strengthen document control, and ensure the robustness and consistency of company assessments.

💡 Challenge & Solution: Why Probench

  • Consistency in Assessments — use a standard framework for evaluating multiple companies; ensure uniform data capture, scoring, and assessor comments
  • Integrated Multi-User Access — tailored access for different stakeholders: assessors, reviewers, project managers, benchmark partners, and companies
  • Improved Document Management — eliminate the need for multiple assessment versions (draft, reviewed, final, etc.); maintain strong version control and centralized documentation
  • Automated Reporting — generate individual company reports directly from assessment data
  • Access to Historical Assessments — view and compare past company assessments, supporting evidence, and audit trails; enable assessor/reviewer dialogue for transparency and accountability
  • Data Security — safely and securely store company assessment data
  • Analytics Capability — facilitate data analysis

⚙️ Implementation Highlights

Adopting Probench transformed Chronos' benchmarking processes by:

  • Enhancing Company Engagement — providing secure access to confidential assessment reports via a centralised platform
  • Saving Time with Live Updates — real-time changes from assessors feed directly into live datasheets, removing duplication of effort
  • Ensuring Accuracy and Consistency — easy access to previous assessments reduces errors and ensures alignment across companies

🌍 Assessments Completed Using Probench Over Multiple Years

  • Business Benchmark for Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) — 1,500 individual food company assessments (150 per year) since 2015
  • CCLA Corporate Mental Health Benchmark, Global 100+ — almost 500 individual global company assessments (100+ per year) since 2022
  • CCLA Corporate Mental Health Benchmark, UK 100+ — almost 500 individual UK company assessments (100+ per year) since 2022
  • The Pecking Order (TPO) — over 1,000 company assessments (38 individual companies in multiple countries) since 2022

📈 Results and Impact (Chronos Estimates)

  • 30%+ reduction in time per assessment
  • 20% reduction in data input and analysis time
  • Consistent interpretation of evidence, standardised assessor feedback, and aligned scoring practices across all assessors
  • Accessible and secure platform ensuring appropriate access levels for assessors, benchmark partners, and companies

"After several years of use, Probench continues to receive positive feedback from internal and external users, who value its intuitive design, reliability, and ease of use."

— Nicky Amos, Managing Director, Chronos Sustainability

🔗 Unexpected Benefit

One of the most valuable features discovered has been the "Show History" function, which allows:

  • Quick comparison with previous and parallel company assessments
  • Transparent tracking of changes through the review process
  • Faster, more informed decision-making

🌱 Looking Forward

Chronos is exploring advanced data analysis, smart technology, and advanced dashboard interface — all powered by Probench's flexible infrastructure and continuous support.

DEI Consulting Inclusive Leadership Diagnostic Assessment
Since 2020 and ongoing
Fairer Consulting

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consulting · United Kingdom

Use Case: Inclusive Leadership Diagnostic & Impact Assessment

🎯 The Challenge

Fairer Consulting had developed a powerful, research-driven framework on inclusive leadership. But turning that into a scalable, repeatable assessment product was the challenge. They needed:

  • A user-friendly digital diagnostic tool
  • Individual & team-level reporting with competence score
  • A partner with assessment expertise to design and build it
  • A solution that wouldn't distract them from their core DEI consulting work

In-house development or hired contractors would have taken 6+ months and considerable cost — creating overheads and distractions.

💡 The Solution

Working with Probench, Fairer Consulting launched a robust Inclusive Leadership Assessment in just a few weeks. Key features delivered:

  • Online access to assessments for individuals and teams
  • Automated reporting with seven DEI competencies
  • Built-in tips and actions tailored to each user
  • Instant report generation & access
  • Used before interventions to design targeted DEI training
  • Easy to understand and accessible to the end user, without being overcomplicated

"Probench creates an opportunity to offer an assessment service to the client which we would not have normally being able to offer."

— Dan Robertson, Global MD, Fairer Consulting

⚙️ Results & Impact

  • 1000+ employees & leaders assessed
  • 7 DEI competencies scored per assessment
  • Weeks not months to launch the assessment
  • Multi-year benchmarking & trend analysis
  • Instant report generation & access
  • 5+ years trusted platform partner

⚙️ Implementation Highlights

Fairer Consulting onboarded Probench in 2020 primarily to run Inclusive Leadership Assessments, conducting assessments for 1000+ employees and leaders across different companies striving for an inclusive workplace culture. Probench enabled the Fairer team and its clients to assess their team members online to know how inclusive they are in their work environment.

A recommended way to implement the assessment tool is to use it in a "Before–Intervention–After" format. Begin by running the assessment as a diagnostic tool to identify which of the seven inclusive leadership competencies need improvement. Based on the results, design and deliver targeted interventions tailored to the client's specific gaps. Once the program is completed, conduct the assessment again to measure progress. This approach not only personalizes the intervention journey but also clearly demonstrates the positive behavioral shifts and measurable impact of the program, making it a powerful tool for both culture change and ROI tracking.

👥 Business Impact: Inclusive Leadership in Action

One of the most immediate behavioral changes observed was among managers, who began proactively connecting with colleagues outside of their usual "in-group." This shift translated into more intentional acts such as regular one-on-one check-ins, coffee chats, and lunches, which, though simple, played a powerful role in building relationships and affinity across teams. These small yet meaningful steps marked the beginning of a more inclusive leadership culture.

📁 Unlocking Untapped Talent

As these new connections took root, a clear shift in work allocation patterns emerged. Managers began identifying and engaging team members they hadn't previously worked closely with, assigning them stretch projects and new opportunities. This not only surfaced hidden potential but also created a positive ripple effect, as more team members developed new skills, gained visibility, and became eligible for future leadership pipelines. Over time, this approach strengthens the organisation's talent strategy and fosters a more equitable culture of growth.

"Probench allowed us to scale our inclusive leadership assessments without losing our core: ease, clarity, and impact. It's intuitive for users, efficient for our team, and powerful in the insights it generates."

— Dan Robertson, Global MD, Fairer Consulting

📊 Unexpected Benefits: Trends, Patterns & Benchmarks Over Time

A powerful advantage emerged when Fairer Consulting began using the tool repeatedly with the same clients across multiple years — Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, and beyond. This longitudinal use enabled the creation of year-on-year benchmarks and the ability to compare progress across different organisations. It also revealed valuable trends and behavioural patterns that clients could use to assess their journey and progress in building inclusive leadership cultures.

Internally, this also meant access to a growing dataset of inclusion maturity levels across sectors. These insights became instrumental in informing new research, shaping future programs, and refining service offerings — a benefit that extended far beyond the original use case.

🧠 Psychological Driver for Change

Another surprising, yet impactful, benefit was the psychological accountability created by scheduling a follow-up assessment. When participants knew they would be re-assessed in six months, it served as a powerful motivator encouraging sustained engagement with learning materials and intentional behavioral change.

This aligns closely with the Theory of Change, where accountability and time-bound feedback loops drive action. The assessment tool evolved from a one-time measure into a change-enabling mechanism that sets expectations, prompts reflection, and reinforces lasting transformation.

"73bit provided us with a tool that is incredibly easy to understand and highly accessible for end users. It offered exactly what we needed: a simple, seamless user experience from link to questionnaire to automated scorecard. We have partnered with 73bit for over 5 years, and they've remained our trusted collaborators for all assessment and tooling needs within our Inclusive Leadership offers. 73bit has helped us conduct assessments for 1000+ employees and 100+ leaders across multiple organisations, enabling us to deliver insights with clarity, consistency, and impact."