What are differences between Outputs and Outcomes?
Last updated: December 14, 2022 Read in fullscreen view
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Both outputs and outcomes are the result of the project. Therefore, we usually use these words interchangeably. However, there are distinct differences between output and outcome. Let’s have a look at these differences.
| Outputs | Outcomes |
| Outputs are achieved immediately after implementing an activity or a project/programs. | Outcomes are not achieved right after the implementation of activities or projects/programs. |
| Output is what is created at the end of a process. Outputs are the steps an organization or business takes to reach a desired outcome. | Outcome is the level of performance or achievement that occurred because of the activity or programs. |
| Outputs are immediate results. Often referred as first level results. | Outcomes are short term or mid-term results. Often referred as second level results. |
| Output is linked to activities. Output indicates completion of a project/programs activities. | Outcome is linked to objectives. Outcome indicates achievement of a project/programs. |
| Outputs are easy to measure/report or validate. They are usually tangible. | Outcomes are difficult to measure or validate. They are usually intangible. |
| Outputs are the means to end. These are actions/items that contribute to achieve an outcome. | Outcomes are the end results. Outcomes are what a project/business wants/desires to achieve. |
| Outputs do not show the level of performance/achievement. | Outcome shows the level of achievement due to the of activity/services provided. |
| Outputs result into outcome. | Outcome are the result of output. i.e. they are achieved after the output. |
| Outputs are within direct control of the program/program managers. | Outcomes are not within direct control of the program/program managers. |
| Outputs can be CONTROLLED by the program. | Outcomes can only be INFLUENCED by the program. |
| Outputs are not the reason for designing a project. | Outcomes are the reason for the designing a project. |
| Outputs are not the measure for effectiveness. | Effectiveness, efficacy and efficiency are used to measure outcomes. |
| Output measures do not address the value or impact of your services for your clients. | Outcome are supposed to address the value of the services/activities. |
| Outputs are usually measured in numbers. E.g.: 100 people trained in prevention of corona virus, 95 graduates of the school etc. | Outcomes cannot be generally measured in numbers. It is a change that occurs because of the program. |
| Outputs are the immediate result of our action. It takes less time to accomplish. | Outcomes are the differences made by the outputs. It takes more time to accomplish. |
Does measuring outputs help or hinder the outcome?
With outputs, there are a couple of things to note. There is no competition between outcomes and outputs, so they both go towards the same thing. This is important because most outputs are not tightly defined. An input that helps to reach the desired outcome might seem insignificant, but may not actually be crucial if it is not captured in the outcome document. If you measure outputs, you must include them in the outcome document, or risk looking less important, so there’s no incentive for people to improve your output. A measuring mechanism with no visibility makes the outputs less important because they’re not included in the outcome document, and people will forget about them, not noticing if they improved. On the other hand, measuring outputs can create the same issue.
Final Thoughts
Thinking in business terms, here's how we can define these two terms: The outcomes are what the business wants or needs to achieve. The outputs are the actions or items that contribute to achieving an outcome.
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