Expected Outcomes vs. Expected Results

Attribute	Expected Outcomes	Expected Results
Definition	Anticipated consequences or effects of a particular action or event	Anticipated achievements or accomplishments from a specific project or task
Focus	Emphasizes the broader impact or changes resulting from an action	Emphasizes the specific achievements or deliverables of a project
Scope	Can be short-term or long-term outcomes	Usually refers to immediate or tangible results
Measurement	Often measured in terms of impact or changes in behavior, attitudes, or conditions	Usually measured in terms of specific metrics or deliverables achieved

Definition

Expected outcomes and expected results are terms commonly used in project management to describe the anticipated consequences of a project or initiative. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are subtle differences between the two concepts that can impact how they are used and interpreted.

Expected Outcomes

Expected outcomes refer to the long-term goals or objectives that a project is designed to achieve. These outcomes are typically broad in scope and may encompass a range of benefits or changes that are expected to result from the project. For example, an expected outcome of a marketing campaign could be increased brand awareness or higher sales revenue.

Expected outcomes are often used to measure the overall success of a project and provide a framework for evaluating its impact on the organization or stakeholders. They are usually defined at the beginning of a project and serve as a guide for decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

It is important to note that expected outcomes are not always guaranteed and may be influenced by external factors beyond the control of the project team. However, they provide a clear vision of what the project is striving to achieve and help align the efforts of team members towards a common goal.

Expected Results

Expected results, on the other hand, are more specific and tangible than expected outcomes. They refer to the specific outputs or deliverables that are expected to be produced as a result of the project activities. For example, an expected result of a software development project could be the completion of a new feature or the launch of a mobile app.

Expected results are often used to track progress and measure the success of individual tasks or activities within a project. They provide a way to assess whether the project is on track to achieve its expected outcomes and can help identify any potential issues or roadblocks that need to be addressed.

Unlike expected outcomes, expected results are typically more concrete and measurable, making them easier to monitor and evaluate. They provide a clear indication of whether the project is meeting its objectives and can be used to make adjustments or modifications to the project plan as needed.

Key Differences

• Expected outcomes are long-term goals or objectives, while expected results are specific outputs or deliverables.
• Expected outcomes are broad in scope and may encompass a range of benefits, while expected results are more concrete and tangible.
• Expected outcomes are used to measure the overall success of a project, while expected results are used to track progress and evaluate individual tasks.
• Expected outcomes provide a vision of what the project is striving to achieve, while expected results help assess whether the project is on track to meet its objectives.

Conclusion

While expected outcomes and expected results are related concepts in project management, they serve different purposes and provide distinct perspectives on the success of a project. Expected outcomes offer a high-level view of the goals and objectives of a project, while expected results provide a more detailed and measurable assessment of progress and performance. By understanding the differences between these two concepts, project managers can better plan, monitor, and evaluate their projects to ensure successful outcomes.