What do performance measurements that describe the target level of performance refer to?

Performance measurements that describe the target level of performance are best defined as benchmarks. Benchmarks serve as reference points or standards against which performance can be measured and assessed. They provide a clear indication of expected outcomes and can be used to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of various processes, ensuring that organizations can analyze their performance in relation to established norms or best practices.

Using benchmarks allows organizations to set realistic and achievable goals by comparing their performance to that of peers or industry standards. This practice promotes continuous improvement by highlighting areas where enhancements can be made. In the context of performance assessment, benchmarks are particularly valuable as they represent specific, quantifiable targets that teams strive to reach, enabling more structured progress tracking.

While guidelines, standards, and objectives are related concepts, they do not specifically refer to the comparative reference points for measuring performance like benchmarks do. Guidelines tend to be more about recommended practices, standards often define compliance or regulatory requirements, and objectives are the broader goals or aims that an organization seeks to achieve. Hence, benchmarks are the most accurate term for describing the target performance levels.