Process v. Outcome

January 19, 2012 in Life,Mission,Spiritual Growth,Strategy with 23 Comments

So what are you committing yourself to?

In most cases, you will be tempted to commit yourself to one of two things: process or outcome.

I found myself on the elliptical the other morning.  Unfortunately there was a mirror in front of it.  I saw visitbly the 15 pounds that still need to come off.  Then I had this thought:  there are a lot of overweight people who work out every day (please understand, I’m not slamming overweight people…I just know I have no excuse for being one.)

I’m tempted to give myself points for showing up.  Points for engaging the process.  I did a solid hour on the elliptical plus ab crunches and some push ups.  That counts right?  And I biked three hours last week.  Good for me right?

Well, sort of.  If you’re only scoring process.  But if you’re scoring outcomes, well that’s different. I know I’ve needed to get back to ideal weight now for a few years.  And I’m not there.

In every area of life, it’s easy for me to measure process rather than outcome.

I worked for hours on this message.

I followed everything everyone told me to do.

I got it done in record time.

I had exactly the number of people you asked for engaged on the project.

You have no idea how hard our team worked on that.

Everything was done precisely according to format.

And that’s fine.  The problem is that’s often where it ends: it’s just fine.  And sometimes it’s not even that.

Process is important, but what if you started measuring outcomes instead?

That message helped hundreds of people get closer to God.

That series drew a record number of new attenders.

Our client was so thrilled with the project he brought us five new referrals.

The 100th phone call finally resulted in a great job offer.

I lost 10 pounds this month.

People can’t stop talking about that event.

We had 35 new families register with us after that appeal.

People who measure outcomes keep changing the process until they get the results they need.  And then they change it again to see if they can do better.

What are you measuring?  Process or outcome?

There are too many overweight people who work out every day.  Too many preachers who spend three days on messages that help almost no one.  And far too many people who will get to four o’clock and call the day a win because they got through the pile in front of them.

And no one will be much better for it.

How do you measure outcomes?  What keeps you stuck to measuring process?

About Carey Nieuwhof: Carey Nieuwhof is lead pastor of Connexus Community Church and author of the best selling books, Leading Change Without Losing It and Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Carey speaks to North American and global church leaders about change, leadership, and parenting.

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  • Robert B

    Carey,

    Love the thought. Measuring the process is an easy trap to fall into and/or an easy place to hang out.
    Would you share how you quantify the outcomes of a preaching/teaching ministry? For me, a student pastor, this is seen over time in Christ-likeness. But, I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
    It’s easier to see measurables in the concrete things (attendance, giving, etc.), but it’s a tougher view in the abstract matters of character and attitude.

    ‘Preciate your blogging,

    Robert

  • Chad Hoffman

    \Great way to take a serious look at if what we are doing is actually accomplishing anything Carey. I use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-sensitive) goals to make sure that I’m not just scoring points in my mind for doing the process, but seeing real change in the outcome.

  • Carey

    Robert…great question. I’d love the input of others, but it’s both art and sciences. We keep very careful track of new attenders, attendance, downloads of messages etc. And that’s one measure. But the other is more art than science; we listen carefully for life-change stories. We listen to people’s baptism stories about what facilitated their conversion, and what helped them make a decision to follow Jesus. We also listen to see what series helped them apply their faith – what helped their marriages, finances, prayer life, bible reading etc. I’d love to hear what others measure. Thanks for the question Robert!

  • http://www.ryancarriesharpe.com Carrie

    Reminds me of the Yoda quote, “Do, or do not. There is no try.”

    Thank you for the reminder to focus on the outcome rather than giving myself a pat on the back for effort alone.

    Carrie :)

  • Carey

    Hey Chad…great to use SMART goals. Can you share one example of how those goals play out in a less measurable way than say, lose ten pounds? I think that’s where a lot of people easily get stuck. Appreciate the comment!

  • Carey

    Yoda is so wise. Thanks Carrie!

  • patrick voo

    i get that it’s process and outcomes. yin and yang. for most of my life i’ve focused on arriving at the desired outcomes – and only recently spent more time realizing that a number of those outcomes could be achieved at great expense – using people, legal shortcuts, violated promises. must just be a reaction reflex on a moral level, but i tend to focus more on the journey and less on the destination.

  • Carey

    Patrick…that’s such a great point, and unfortunately using an end to justify a means happens too often. I think the healthiest systems measure the outcome as it relates to people and integrity as well (not just numbers and trends). I think how you do things and how you treat people in the process in the process are great outcomes to measure.

  • Chad Hoffman

    I’m training some of my staff who have never used SMART goals before and this question came up in our discussions.

    For example, say we want kids to experience more authentic, inspiring worship. That’s tough to measure since there are no numbers or values in that! However, we CAN measure some lead measures that could help us achieve that initiative. Some examples of lead measures would be: adding 2 new gifted worship leaders, adding one new take away each week from the teaching for the kids to turn teaching to action and hold them accountable, renovating our large group environment to minimize distractions while increasing the interaction with the teaching happening on stage, and increasing the “WOW” factor to get kids excited about large group time.

    So an example of a SMART goal that would capture a few of those things would be: “In order to create inspiring worship at CTK Kids, we are going to create a round stage set up for large group with 2 new worship leaders, and have kids bring 30 new friends by April 18, 2012.”

  • Carey

    Chad…that’s so helpful. Thank you for sharing that. Love what God is doing through your church btw!

  • Michael

    Hey, Carey…I’m always challenged by your work. With this one, I’d say that there’s a ditch on either side of the road. Process and outcome are great companions as long as they realize that they are on journey together and don’t mind taking advice from each other now and again. A bird flies best with BOTH wings!

  • Chad Hoffman

    Thanks Carey. Yes we are pretty excited to play a small role in the ride God is taking people on through our community. I’m interested to know where have you heard of our church?

  • Carey

    Chad I’m not sure where I first heard of your church but I’m impressed to see a church with your scope and influence on the west coast. Exciting!

  • Carey

    Michael, thank you. I agree that both are necessary and think that’s a great point. Thank you! I suppose the post is a reaction to sometimes thinking that adherence to process is enough.

  • Chad Hoffman

    It is interesting what is going on here, and at times hard to explain in human terms. I’ve been a children’s pastor before this in both Canada and in the US midwest and the pacific northwest has some very unique challenges!

  • Carey

    I’d love to hear more. Maybe I’ll do a post soon about regional differences in ministry. Every area has its own opportunities and challenges. I think I’ll post one about that next week. Can’t wait to hear more about what you’ve learned. And great to hear from a fellow Canuck!

  • http://messybarns.com Dennis

    Tremendous! Process is the default and that’s never optimal. Chad, I loved the comment about lead measures. Thanks so much for the insight.

  • http://Www.westvillagechurch.com Chris Synesael

    Even measuring outcomes can be deceiving. I believe it is Peter Drucket (among others) who say, ‘What gets measured,/rewarded gets done.’ If you ate measuring the wrong thing you are still in trouble.

  • Carey

    Thanks Dennis. Chris, you’re right. What gets measured often gets done. Drucker remains a leader in great leadership thinking.

  • Tanya

    Really great question Carey and comments from all. I would have to say both the process and the outcome need to be looked at together. I volunteer in kids ministry (kwaumba) and most of my thinking and action is devoted 90% of the time to process and 10% to outcome. ‘Process’ tends to fit under the category of the ‘urgent’ and ‘outcome’ fits the ‘important’; especially in kids ministry. I’m always thinking about how we can make the time with the kids go better from a process point of view. (It can be a matter of survivial! We have 16 kinders on average, half boys in a small space) I need to re-balance my thinking and actions to consider both the process and outcome.

  • Carey

    Thanks Tanya. That’s a great application of the principle…and thanks for helping families and kids win in Waumba Land!

  • Robert B

    Thanks Carey and Chad, both the recognition of the art and science of measuring and the idea of lead measures are helpful and affirming! Any recommendations for continued digestion of this topic?
    Beneficial conversation going on up in here!

  • http://www.nathanmagnuson.com/ Nathan Magnuson

    Terrific – we can’t mistake activity for productivity. Being efficient without being effective is one of the great leadership “sins.” That being said, from a spiritual development standpoint, I know when I pray, it is almost always for an outcome vs. a process. Ouch.