Well-known Harvard Business Review blogger Deb Mills-Scofield distinguishes output from outcome well: “Let’s define outputs as the stuff we produce, be it physical or virtual, for a specific type of customer — say, car seats for babies. And let’s define outcomes as the difference our stuff makes — keeping your child safe in the car.”
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Her summary is the best way to keep these terms straight: “Outcomes are the difference made by the outputs.” Your roadmap works best if it focuses on outcomes, the big ideas. But what if your boss wants the nitty-gritty? Anyone won this argument?