Effectiveness is a superset of efficiency.

While efficiency is concerned with expense toward a goal, effectiveness wants for both efficiency and value of goal.rA3 Efficiency can be a beautiful road to nowhere, while effectiveness is also judged on the ability to contribute to the goals of a parent system. Team velocity measurements ought to consider this distinction.


  1. Russell Ackoff, “Learning and Legacy of Dr. W. Edwards Deming - Continuous Improvement,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqEeIG8aPPk. (See notes.)