Effectiveness is directly related to the results achieved by actions. Efficiency, on the other hand, analyzes the objectives in relation to the resources and costs spent for their development. While effectiveness includes the impacts of actions in their context.
For the success of a project, all dimensions must be considered and effectiveness, efficiency and effectiveness must go hand in hand.
| Efficiency | Efficiency | Effectiveness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is it | Do what must be done, according to the objectives set. Ability to correctly carry out all stages of the process towards your goal. | Doing well, weighing costs and resources to achieve a goal. Efficiency is realized through the quality of the process in relation to the expenses for its realization. | Result of the union of effectiveness and efficiency related to the impacts of actions. Situation that guarantees the permanence of the service, product or position. |
| Key words | Result | Costs/Resources | Impact |
What is effectiveness?
Effectiveness is the ability to achieve a goal or objective, correctly executing all stages of the project. Efficiency values the accomplishment of what has to be done with a focus on the final result.
Example of effectiveness
goal: Arrive home.
Mode: leave where you are and go straight towards the house.
The measure can be understood as effective since the result (arrive home) is achieved.
What is efficiency?
Efficiency is understood as what must be done with a focus on the optimized process. An efficient project is one that achieves its objective with the least possible resources. Efficiency is related to your costs (materials, personnel, expenses, time, etc.).
Example of efficiency
Objective: Get home.
Method: Analyze and implement the best way to get home (shortest route, shortest time, lowest cost, etc.)
To achieve the result, the resources that should be used were analyzed and optimized.
What is effectiveness?
Effectiveness means the combination of effectiveness and efficiency in relation to the impacts of the project, its duration and maintenance.
For a project or undertaking to be effective, it is necessary to carry out an evaluation after its development to make sure that all actions have generated the desired effects.
Example of effectiveness
Objective: Get home.
How: Define strategies that consider the best time to carry out the route, look for relevant variations throughout the week (ex: passing near the football stadium on match days). Evaluate and make periodic adjustments.
In this way, in addition to the results and mobilized resources, possible impacts and the possibility of duration of the planning.
See also the difference between:
- Efficiency and efficacy
- skill and competence
- soft skills It is hard skills
- work and employment
- boss and leader
