The following set of definitions of terms was developed by John Muffo, Director, Academic Assessment at Virginia Tech and by Michael Leonard, Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Clemson University. (August 15, 1997)

Outcome - the result of an activity such as an educational experience. The outcomes of a college education are the sum total of all knowledge, skills, and values developed over the course of the undergraduate experience, both inside and outside of class.

Goal - a goal is a general statement of achievement. For example, a goal for an undergraduate engineering program might be the ability to analyze and solve technical problems.

Objective - an objective is a specific statement relating to a broader goal. For example, regarding the goal above, an objective might be the ability to find three or more technically feasible solutions when presented with a real-life problem in the student’s engineering major.

Indicator - a measure of something. For example, an indicator of excellence might be the percent of graduates who pass the Fundamentals of Engineering examination. Another indicator might be the percentage of graduating students who can present, explain, and defend a final design project in a professional way before a board of three working experts in the field.

Criterion - [when used with respect to a regional or disciplinary (e.g., ABET) accrediting agency]-A criterion is the term used to denote one of the formal set of statements of what is required in order for an educational program to be accredited. Taken collectively, the agency’s accreditation criteria are the requirements for accreditation.

Benchmark - the best at doing something, "best in class." A benchmark engineering department would be one that is doing the best job at something. The "something" must be identified first, since the benchmark department for producing graduates who communicate best may not be the same one that produces graduates who are the best researchers, for example. Benchmark departments or institutions are those that we seek to emulate.