---
id: "prereq-outcome-vs-output-metrics"
type: "prereq"
source_timestamps: ["§ What Is Structured Empowerment?"]
tags: ["performance-management"]
related: ["concept-key-results-accountability"]
reason: "Crucial for implementing the accountability component of structured empowerment correctly."
sources: ["tail1"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-tail1"
originDay: 1
articleStem: "hbr-tail-105-fast-growing-better-decisions"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/05/how-fast-growing-companies-can-make-better-decisions"
sourceTitle: "How Fast-Growing Companies Can Make Better Decisions"
---
# Outcome vs. Output/Process Metrics

**Prerequisite knowledge.** The text assumes familiarity with the difference between:
- Measuring **how** work is done — *process-compliance checklists* (output/process metrics).
- Measuring the **result** of the work — *genuine outcome metrics* like customer satisfaction or profitability.

**Why it matters.** Crucial for implementing the [[concept-key-results-accountability|accountability component]] of structured empowerment correctly (see [[action-shift-to-outcome-metrics]]). Confusing the two reintroduces the process-compliance regime structured empowerment is meant to replace.