Outputs vs Outcomes: A Lesson in Impact

📖 Years ago, an accountant spent countless hours crafting a monthly management report spanning nearly a hundred pages. She diligently churned this report for eight years without questioning its value. 

😭 However, one day, curiosity sparked within her, and she dared to ask her supervisor—the CFO—how helpful the report was. To her surprise, the response was underwhelming. The report was overwhelming, rarely utilized, and did not meet its intended purpose. 

Working Long Hours as an Accountant. Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash

💡 Determined to make a change, the accountant embarked on a journey to prototype a new report variation, condensing it from a hundred pages to just 15.

❗ This true story highlights a crucial point: we often become so fixated on outputs that we forget their purpose—to achieve outcomes. However, delivering outputs doesn’t always equate to the outcomes we expect. It’s vital to validate our assumptions and ensure alignment with our goals.

🔄 Outputs vs Outcomes

• Outputs are the tangible results of our work—the things we create or deliver.

• Outcomes are the changes or impact our work has on people, processes, or environments.

💭 Why the Distinction Matters

Focusing solely on outputs can lead us to assume that our hard work will automatically translate into positive outcomes. Unforunately, this assumption is often flawed.

Perfect outputs may fail to achieve the desired impact without fully understanding or addressing the underlying needs and goals.

🔍 Key Questions to Ask

1️⃣ Are We Solving the Right Problem? Simply delivering a solution doesn’t guarantee we’ve addressed the real issue. Do we understand what success looks like?

2️⃣ What Does Success Look Like? Success should be defined by achieving goals (outcomes), not just completing tasks (outputs).

3️⃣ Are Our Efforts Aligned with Desired Outcomes? Regularly reassess to ensure our outputs align with intended outcomes. Are we on the right track?

🌟 Focusing on Outcomes

To truly make an impact, we must shift our focus from delivering outputs to achieving meaningful outcomes. ❗This requires engaging with stakeholders, understanding their needs, and continuously iterating to ensure our work delivers real value.

So, let’s pause and reflect. 

Are we chasing outputs or driving towards outcomes? 

Share your thoughts and experiences below!

Output vs Outcomes

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[About the Author]

Jentz has a deep background in innovation and design across Europe and Malaysia. Committed to enhancing design practices, Jentz aims to help position Malaysia as a hub for creative and impactful solutions. Join him in exploring the potential of design thinking to tackle immediate challenges and inspire transformative change and innovation.