Which step is NOT part of the benchmarking process?

The benchmarking process involves a systematic evaluation of processes, practices, and performances in order to identify areas for improvement. Key steps in this process include defining objectives, evaluating current conditions and practices, and surveying peers to gather comparative data.

Conducting annual employee reviews, while a valuable management practice for assessing employee performance and development, does not directly correlate with the benchmarking process. Benchmarking specifically focuses on comparing operational metrics and practices within a relevant field or industry to drive performance improvements, rather than assessing individual employee performance. Therefore, it is not considered a step in the benchmarking process.