Which statement reflects a clear performance standard?
a. Bring about a significant improvement in the morale of all workers.
. Make assistants more efficient:
c. Decrease the number of products rejected due to manufacturing defects by over the next 6 month
d. Completely eliminate all customer complaints.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. Decrease the number of products rejected due to manufacturing defects by over the next 6 months.
Explanation:
A clear performance standard is one that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This type of standard provides a clear expectation of what needs to be accomplished and offers a basis for evaluating whether the desired result has been achieved.
Option c is the most precise because it satisfies all the SMART criteria:
- Specific: The task is focused on reducing the number of products rejected due to manufacturing defects.
- Measurable: The performance can be measured by tracking the number of rejected products.
- Achievable: The standard does not seem unattainable as it can be worked on with specific strategies in place (such as process improvements, employee training, quality control checks).
- Relevant: Decreasing defects aligns with organizational goals of improving product quality and customer satisfaction.
- Time-bound: The target specifies a six-month timeline, providing a deadline for evaluation.
Now, let’s review the other options:
- Option a: “Bring about a significant improvement in the morale of all workers” is too vague. While morale is important, the term “significant improvement” is subjective and does not define how it will be measured or achieved. There’s no clear indicator or timeframe for this goal.
- Option b: “Make assistants more efficient” lacks specificity. Efficiency can be improved in many ways, but without clear metrics, such as reducing processing time, increasing accuracy, or improving throughput, this standard is difficult to assess.
- Option d: “Completely eliminate all customer complaints” is unrealistic. Customer complaints are a part of any business, and expecting them to be completely eliminated is an unattainable goal. A more realistic approach would be to reduce complaints or improve resolution times.
In summary, option c is the best example of a performance standard because it is clear, measurable, and time-bound, making it actionable and easy to track progress.