Effectiveness vs. Efficiency
I often hear people use the words effective and efficient interchangeably. While the two definitions are close, they are not exactly the same and they have different contexts where each is appropriate.
Here are the two definitions from the New Oxford American Dictionary…
The way I usually differentiate between these two terms and their accompanying mindsets can be partially described by thinking about taking a road-trip.
If I am trying to determine the best route to take to get from point A to point B then I have a variety of ways that I can reach my destination. When I choose which route to take - then I am thinking about effectiveness.
If I drive a specific route frequently then I can focus on efficiently navigating that specific route. If the road is paved then I probably want to drive my car (better gas mileage), if it’s a dirt road then I might need drive my SUV. When I apply the context of my route - then I am thinking about efficiency.
The differences in these definitions is slight, but important. When I focus on effectiveness then I’m looking at ways I can achieve a specific goal. When I’m looking at efficiency then I’m looking at optimizing the way I’ve chosen to achieve the goal.
If you think about the subtle differences between these two mindsets then it’s fairly obvious that software development almost always focuses on efficiency. Unfortunately, there are many times that we focus on optimizing our gas mileage while we are taking the wrong route to get to our destination.
When you need to focusing on doing the right thing then focus on effectiveness. When you need to focus on optimizing the right thing then focus on efficiency.
If you’re in a situation where things change frequently then effectiveness should be your focus. After you solve the effectiveness problems then you can focus on efficiency.
August 7th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
That confused me.
Your post is both efficient and effective. But it is confusing.
Personally, I embrace chaos, chance, and difficult situations. Life is rich because it is flawed. I turned down the opportunity to take classes this summer at The Illinois Institute of Technology because the central project was about improving wayfinding in urban Chicago within a new version of ELITO research methods. I like getting lost, getting in trouble, and experiencing the unexpected. I think I read to much Henry Miller.
You are so deep into process Ben, you need to step back and look at what software and development are in the big picture within the concept of Progress and Survival. Neither of those things has anything to do with efficiency, good process, or effectiveness. It would be a very boring and predictable world if it was.
I would suggest reading “Holy Fire” by Bruce Sterling.
Hope you are having fun up in Toronto. Make sure you go do design and art things while you there. The entire cyberpunk culture lives there now 
October 27th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Hi Ben,
I wrote a post quite some time ago about the same topic. It’s based on popular author’s Timothy Ferriss’ distinction between effectiveness and efficiency. Check it out at: http://edgehopper.com/effectiveness-vs-efficiency/
Cheers,
Chris
October 27th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Thanks Chris. Great post BTW.
I need to pick up that book and read it. I’ve browsed it, but haven’t read it cover-to-cover yet.
Thanks for pointing out your post