What is the process of assessing staff performance against predetermined standards called?

The process of assessing staff performance against predetermined standards is known as performance evaluation. This process involves systematically measuring and evaluating employees' job performance, skills, and contributions to the organization in relation to established goals and benchmarks. Performance evaluations typically aim to provide feedback, identify areas for improvement, and facilitate professional development, aligning individual performance with organizational objectives.

The term "benchmarking" refers to comparing processes and performance metrics to industry bests or best practices from other organizations, rather than directly assessing individual staff performance. "Control management" generally pertains to the broader concept of managing processes to ensure they operate according to established policies and standards, but it does not typically focus on individual performance assessment. "Cost assessment" involves evaluating the expenses associated with a project or a function, which does not directly relate to assessing staff performance.