What is a performance standard?

• A. Policy
• B. Performance standard
• C. Procedure
• D. Objective

Answer: (B)

Performance standards are explicit, measurable criteria that define how well a task should be performed. In hospitality, they turn goals into concrete benchmarks staff can meet, such as greeting guests within a specific time, delivering correct orders, or keeping tables clean to a defined level. These standards let you evaluate performance objectively, guide training with clear expectations, and ensure consistency across shifts.

A policy is a broad rule guiding actions, a procedure explains the exact steps to complete a task, and an objective is the intended result to achieve. The performance standard sits with these by specifying the precise level of performance required to show that the policy is followed and the objective is met.