Maximizing Impact: Why Outcome Matters for PMs
Ever heard the advice “Focus on Outcomes, not Outputs”?
If you’re a Product Manager, chances are this rings a bell 🔔
While it’s valuable advice, it often leaves some key questions unanswered:
- What exactly are outcomes and why do they matter?
- How can we prioritize outcomes effectively?
Let’s delve into these questions:
🎯 Understanding Outcomes
Outputs are the tangible products or deliverables produced by a team, while Outcomes refer to the real impact or value these outputs bring to customers and the business.
Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re managing a project for a fitness app with the goal of increasing user engagement. You’re introducing a feature designed to boost daily activity logging by 10%.
👉 Successfully launching the feature without any technical glitches would be considered an OUTPUT.
👉 However, achieving the targeted 10% increase in daily activity logging, whether through the new feature or other means, would be your OUTCOME.
🏹 Why Prioritize Outcomes?
1. Prioritizing outcomes over outputs shifts the focus from just delivering features to delivering value.
2. It ensures that your efforts are aligned with broader business objectives.
3. This alignment empowers your products to make a meaningful impact.
By prioritizing outcomes, you’re not just pushing out features; you’re actively contributing to the success and growth of your business.
So, next time when you’re crafting your product strategy, remember to keep your eyes on the outcomes, not just the outputs.
