Outcome

Now, this is very different from the next level of results: An outcome is something we hope to achieve as a result of what we do.

In development and governance, an outcome implies that institutions or people do

1. something differently (behavioral change), or
2. something better (change in performance).

The difference of an outcome is that—unlike outputs which we largely control—we can only influence the achievement of an outcome, but it ultimately goes beyond our control. Typical outcomes are a parliament passing a new law, people changing their behavior because of a media campaign, midwifes that apply new skills in their daily routine, and so on.

Outcomes are typically achieved at the end or even after a program, policy or service has been implemented.