Focus on Outcomes
Outcomes and outputs are both measures of what has been achieved. However they measure very different things. Achieving an ‘output’ is synonymous with completing a task. Achieving an ‘outcome’ is an indication that a level of value has been created for the end user.
In a Nutshell
An outcome is a particular level of value we are trying to produce for a customer. If we understand what that looks like, we can keep our sights set on it and can plan how It can be achieved.
In order to achieve a particular outcome for our customer we will need to carry out a number of tasks or activities. Each time we complete one of these we are generating an output.
If we are not careful we can become fixed on completing tasks and realise we have achieved a number of outputs but haven’t delivered the level of value we set out to achieve.
A Rubbish Example
Imagine you are a keen gardener and want to keep the rabbits from eating your crops. An output might be the presence of the fence once you have erected it. However, it is very easy to put up a fence that doesn’t go deep enough, or is built out of a material that breaks down after a couple of seasons. We have achieved an output - we have erected a fence. However, we haven’t achieved a lasting and effective outcome as rabbits are still able to get in and eat the crops.
It is very easy to focus on outcomes during planning only to focus too heavily on outputs during delivery. Discipline and rigour is therefore required during both planning and delivery phases. At the point of planning it is necessary to ensure that outcomes are clearly defined so that outputs can be agreed. At the point of delivery it is necessary to ensure that the outputs are not just achieved but are delivered in a way that achieves the desired outcomes.
Practices
Teams plan work to fill their short-term planning horizon. With a clear understanding of current priorities and the capacity of the team, work items are chosen to satisfy the forthcoming delivery goals. The team elaborates the plan as necessary to ensure that there is a shared understanding of the work that is required.
When we deliver features into a product and when we provide the services offered by that product we are making an explicit investment from our available budgets. We need to evaluate the value realised by the product, its features and services so that we can assess the return from our investments. We use the information provided by our evaluation to help guide large scale decisions on where future investments should be directed.
Practices to come:
Lead through outcomes