Outcomes, what are they?

In this article you will learn:

• What is an outcome
• The advantages of a good goal with outcomes
• When goals and outcomes don't work
• How do tasks relate

What is an outcome?

An outcome is evidence that a goal has been achieved. It is best understood as a ‘how’ you will you get there.

Outcomes are best as metrics; number #, currency $ or percentage %.

They should be specific, time bound, aggressive but realistic and verifiable through measurement.

Outcomes describe how you are going to get to the goal. You could think of outcomes like steps on a ladder or the evidence that you got there.

On a best practice goal there should be around three to five outcomes. These outcomes will have different due dates and bring context to how the goal is going to be achieved.

The assumption is, if all the outcomes are achieved, then the goal is achieved. But, if you can’t achieve
on one of the outcomes, it probably means the goal hasn’t or can’t be achieved.

Here is an example we’ll work with from Burke & Wills Electric Vehicles (BWev.io).

Goal:

• Launch 4WD electric vehicle with 1000 sales in pipeline by June 30, 2022.

Outcomes:

1. Secure pipeline of 1000 10% deposits by June 30 2022
2. Deliver a 4WD EV with 1000km range on one charge December 1 2021
3. Secure distribution network for after-market kits of 50 retailers by March 31 2022
4. Secure EV charge access to Tesla network by March 31 2022
5. Achieve production targets of 100 vehicles per month by January 2022

The advantages of a good goal with outcomes

The advantages of using goals with clear outcomes include:

• Clarity and alignment of people and teams

• Transparency throughout an organisation from top to bottom and back again

• Inspire and motivate the team

• Cross-functional collaboration

• Agile and adaptive goal setting

• Top-down, bottom-up, and sideto side engagement

But goals & outcomes are not bulletproof

When priorities and objectives are not clearly communicated, or are conflicted, employees can lose interest and become frustrated.

Implemented well, goals connect the team with the purpose. They stretch the individuals to strive for achievements that seem almost impossible.

And when everybody is connected with purpose, knows what needs to happen (goal) and how they can make it happen (outcomes), then the impossible can be achieved.

Truly great things happen with that multiplier effect.

Goals are the perfect building block of execution. But they are an output of a strategic planning process.

Ensure you are asking and answering the 7 Questions on Waymaker’s Leadership Curve.

Tasks, what are they and how do they relate to the goal and outcomes?

In Waymaker.io you will also see we also include tasks.

Tasks can be related to a goal, an outcome or yourself (personal).

A task is something you need to do on the journey to achieve the outcome.

These can range from a simple to do list, through to a task with supporting check-lists, due dates and notes.