What does a performance-based specification describe?

A performance-based specification focuses on the desired outcomes and capabilities of a product or service rather than prescribing how those outcomes should be achieved. This means it outlines how the product or service should function in terms of its performance requirements, which could include metrics like durability, efficiency, or capacity. The specification emphasizes achieving pre-defined goals and allows the developer or supplier creativity in how to meet those goals, rather than detailing specific means or methods of construction or production.

The other concepts presented, like marketing strategies, detailed construction requirements, or aesthetic considerations, are not central to the essence of a performance-based specification. They either focus on how to present the product or address aspects that do not directly tie to functional performance, hence distinguishing why the correct answer centers on functionality.