Objectives vs Outputs: What's the Difference?

Objectives and outputs are two important concepts in business strategy. Learn how they differ and how to create effective objectives with key results.

Objectives vs Outputs: What's the Difference?

The products and implementation objectives are similar, while the results and outcome objectives are also similar. The results measure what you will do (the services provided, the processes developed and the results) and the results measure the outcomes of what you do. Each objective follows the S, M, A, R, T model, but not all objectives may be achievable. You may need to explain why you think you'll achieve a 20% higher plant growth rate or provide evidence of more efficient ways to grow strawberries.

Alternatively, if a neighbor is using best practices and has been following up on their objectives, it's reasonable to expect that the results can be doubled. This information helps the reviewer understand that the objective is ambitious but achievable. The results are the measurable key results and indicators of success for your objective. While the objective defines direction and focus, key results help you understand what you're trying to achieve. Key results measure success so you know when you've reached your goal. Although a result is what a team does, the results reflect the change that occurs depending on what the team does.

To create results-focused objectives, you must shift from an activity-based mentality to a results-based one. When prepared with intention and foresight, results can serve as a powerful engine that drives your objectives forward. Implementing results-focused objectives lays the foundation for a productive, goal-oriented work culture that makes the feedback process less personal. For example, Allbirds, a New Zealand-American shoe company, had a high-level goal of developing 100% carbon-neutral products. Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) are often considered a simple framework with just a couple of principles to follow and achieve business objectives.

However, products must clearly communicate what is going to change; in other words, they must make a difference. Restructuring your objectives and goals with an outcome in mind develops an additional element of focus, transparency and alignment. The key results of the product are the identified milestones that must be met in order to achieve the objective. While not all objectives need to focus on results, in many cases an OKR will make it clear what outcome will be achieved if the key results are achieved. To ensure productivity, teams and leaders must not lose sight of their overall objective and instead focus on their results.

The formula is simple: objectives are general goals that a team or individual would like to achieve. However, good results-focused objectives help teams identify which products are most likely to lead to desired outcomes.

Doug Pelletiu
Doug Pelletiu

Total bacon ninja. Avid travel scholar. Evil bacon advocate. Freelance social media scholar. Devoted beer practitioner. Incurable bacon guru.

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