Difference between Efficiency and Effectiveness - An Easy Approach

Contents: Efficiency and Effectiveness

• 1. Definition of effectiveness


• 2. Definition of efficiency


• 3. Effectiveness and efficiency in everyday life (examples)


• 4. Summary

The difference between efficiency and effectiveness is not that easy to understand. We will try to light up the difference.

1. Definition of Effectiveness

Effectiveness is the measure of the achievement of goals. Which means the ratio of the desired goals to be achieved. The underlying effort does not matter.

Or:

Effectiveness is the completeness and accuracy with which a particular goal is achieved.

"Doing the right things"

This raises the question of whether the public or the customer benefits and whether "the right things are done".

The effectiveness has a greater political significance than economic efficiency. Efficiently doing wrong things does not lead to the goal, but is usually a waste of money.

2. Definition of Efficiency

Efficiency represents the ratio of input to output as well as performance to cost. Efficiency thus corresponds in many cases to cost-effectiveness.

Or:

Efficiency is the effort involved in achieving a specific goal in proportion to completeness and accuracy.

"Doing things right"

This raises the question of whether "things are done right" (effectiveness: "doing the right things").

Efficiency is without question very important. But if the wrong things are done efficiently, it's a waste. Hence, the effectiveness has a higher priority. Strategy goes before efficiency.

3. Effectiveness and efficiency in everyday life (examples)

Rico wants to clean his bike on a warm summer's day. However, if he just lazes and basks all day, he is not effective in the sense of the actual goal (to clean the bike). Hence, he (in terms of goal achievement) makes the wrong thing.

If he only cleans the bike with water and a rag, he is quite effective (since he is working to reach his goal), but not efficient. He would be efficient and effective if he does the right thing with the right means (suitable cleaning agent, brush, etc.) (Cleaning the bike).

4. Summary

Effectiveness is a measure of output - doing the right things. One possible sub-goal of effectiveness is efficiency. This represents a relation between "input" and "output". It also serves as a benchmark for resource economy - doing things right. Thus, efficiency is not a sufficient or necessary condition for effectiveness.

The difference between effectiveness and efficiency is not always immediately obvious. "Doing the right thing" answers the question of WHAT - What needs to be done to reach the goal? The right thing to do then, answers the question of HOW - How can it be implemented? Aligning one's own actions in everyday life in terms of effectiveness and efficiency guarantees a lasting success - private, professional and entrepreneurial.