Whats the difference between a “metric” and “standard”?
In the context of this project, a “standard” is a required practice or performance score (e.g., a specific irrigation method, a pesticide residue level, etc.). A “metric” defines how to measure performance without imposing a required score or practice (e.g., acre-feet of water applied, energy use per yield, etc.). Standards are valuable for identifying business partners that can achieve a specified level of performance, but they may provide little incentive to improve above the standard and may leave out firms below the standard. This project will develop metrics, not standards.
