Final answer:
Benchmarks are crucial in a development plan for evaluating progress and aligning future goals with an employee's career growth, making them essential during performance appraisals and for setting actionable, measurable targets.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benchmarks are important for monitoring a development plan because they provide a clear framework for assessing progress towards specific objectives within a given timeframe. When undergoing a performance evaluation, benchmarks can serve as a foundation for reviewing achievements and aligning future goals with an employee's growth within an organization. Benchmarks are crucial for an employer to deliver valuable feedback and for an employee to understand how to navigate their career path successfully and meet the expectations set by their role. They are also a tool to gauge the effectiveness of training programs and are often incorporated into performance appraisals. To maximize their utility, benchmarks should be specific, measurable, and motivational, giving employees a clear target to aim for and a measurable way to recognize success or identify areas for improvement.