Which of the following elements describes a good performance standard?

• A. Specific, measurable, attainable
• B. General, clear, doable
• C. Pertinent, realistic, challenging
• D. Nonspecific, understandable, easily accomplished

Answer: (A)

A good performance standard is Specific, Measurable, and Attainable. Specific defines exactly what behavior or outcome is expected, so staff know what success looks like. Measurable means there is a way to observe or quantify performance—so you can track progress and determine if the standard is met. Attainable ensures the target is realistic given available resources, time, and constraints, which helps maintain motivation and compliance. In practice, a standard might specify something observable and countable, like “complete sterilization checks with 100% documentation for each batch” rather than a vague goal. The other options miss one or more of these elements: they may be general, realistic, or clear, but without a precise, measurable target, or without ensuring feasibility, they don’t provide a solid yardstick for performance.