What Are Outcomes in Project or Product Development?
Outcomes are the feedback and feelings of users when they interact with the product or features. Unlike outputs, outcomes are harder to measure because they reflect user satisfaction and value.
Product owners will want to be aware of desired outcomes so that they can increase their chances of delivering value.
Contrary to popular belief, outcomes differ from outputs.
Metaphor
Outcomes are like the laughs after a joke, while outputs are just the words spoken. You can script the lines, but only the reaction shows if it worked.
That reaction—user satisfaction—is what tells you the product truly delivered.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking:(1)
1.
Tien KD. Input, Output and Outcome [Internet]. scrum.org; 2019 [cited 2025 Aug 26]. Available from: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/input-output-and-outcome