Result orientation

Result orientation refers to focusing the attention of the project's contractors on all objectives to meet the expectations of the main stakeholders . It is therefore important to define in detail the expectations of the project being carried out, the goal set and its priorities, and the way they are communicated so that the final results coincide with the previous ones. By implementing the project, the concept of results appears at the beginning, that is, what we achieve thanks to a specific project.

By focusing on results, in the future you will be able to consciously evaluate the project and check what results have appeared. In the orientation of the results in projects, it is very important to choose the appropriate indicators enabling precise assessment of the degree of achievement of the assumed goals. It is also worth adding that for each project consists of the scope, budget, time and quality of its implementation. The future course of the project implementation will affect its final results.

Of great importance at the present time is the Pareto principle, otherwise known as the 80/20 rule. It means that a small number of events is responsible for the majority of phenomena. This rule is widely used, especially in management, including results orientation and achievement. It defines the directions of actions aimed at improving the quality level of processes, products or services.

Setting goals has one of the biggest impacts on the project and, above all, its final results. Therefore, when determining them, the SMART principle is important (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound), which concerns goal management.

In addition to setting goals, it is also important to set priorities. One can mention the Eisenhower matrix, which is based on time management in the project and deals with the activities grouped into two dimensions: validity, or how much the task brings us closer to success, and the urgency, or how much time we will devote to reactions from our side.

Result orientation is part of performance management (with performance management), which is one of the tools for setting, monitoring and evaluating the achievement of goals. The results in performance management are defined as follows:

• inputs concern resources (material, financial, human),
• processes concern the efficient use of resources,
• products (output) focus on providing the right amount of goods and services for which the entity is responsible,
• results determine what has been achieved, inform what has resulted from a given change.

Examples of Result orientation

• Setting clear objectives and expectations for a project at the beginning, and continuously reviewing the progress against those objectives is an example of result orientation.
• Creating a timeline or schedule for a project, breaking down each task into manageable chunks and ensuring deadlines are met is another example of result orientation.
• Establishing a system of rewards and recognition for project team members for successfully meeting objectives is another example of result orientation.
• Allocating resources based on the priority of tasks and objectives is another example of result orientation.
• Regularly assessing the project's progress and identifying areas of improvement is another example of result orientation.

Advantages of Result orientation

Result orientation is an important aspect of project management, as it allows for a focus on the desired outcome and facilitates clear communication of the objectives. As such, there are several advantages of result-oriented project management:

• It encourages collaboration and team spirit among the project members, as all stakeholders have a common goal and strive towards the same outcome.
• It helps to establish a clear timeline, as the focus is on the end goal, and the steps to reach it are outlined and monitored.
• It ensures that the project remains on track and that tasks are completed in a timely manner, as there is a clear focus on the results.
• It encourages better communication with stakeholders and allows for more effective decision-making.
• It allows for better resource management, as all resources are directed towards the project’s end goal.
• It also encourages innovative thinking and helps to identify areas of improvement.

Limitations of Result orientation

Result orientation is a valuable approach for managing projects, but it is also important to recognize its limitations. These include:

• Limited ability to adjust for changing circumstances: While result orientation can help to set clear expectations and goals, it may not be able to adequately respond to unexpected changes in circumstances. When the parameters of the project change, it may be difficult to adjust the scope of the project in order to still achieve the desired results.
• Difficulty in assessing progress: While result orientation can provide a clear sense of the desired outcome of a project, it can be difficult to determine whether the project is on track to reach its goals. Measuring progress in a way that accurately reflects the progress made towards the desired result can be challenging.
• Risk of over-emphasis on the result: While result orientation can provide a focus on the desired outcome of a project, it also has the potential to be overly focused on the result at the expense of the process. This can lead to a lack of attention to detail and a lack of consideration of potential obstacles that could prevent the project from reaching its desired end result.

Other approaches related to Result orientation

One of the other approaches related to Result orientation is creating a project team with a clear understanding of the expectations of the project and the stakeholders. This includes ensuring that all the stakeholders have the same understanding of the goals and the approach to achieve them. Additionally, this team should be provided with the necessary resources and the best practices to ensure timely and successful completion of the project. Other approaches include:

• Establishing a clear and transparent communication system between the stakeholders and the project team. This includes setting up clear channels of communication between the two, such as weekly or monthly check-ins, email updates, and reports.
• Developing a detailed project plan that includes all the activities, milestones, and objectives of the project. This should be done in a way that all stakeholders can understand and monitor the progress of the project.
• Establishing a strong relationship between the stakeholders and the project team. This includes providing feedback and guidance from the stakeholders to the project team, as well as ensuring that the stakeholders are kept informed about the progress of the project.

In conclusion, Result orientation is a key approach for successful project management. It involves setting clear expectations for the project, managing the resources and best practices, establishing a clear communication system, and creating a strong relationship between the stakeholders and the project team. All of these approaches are essential for ensuring the success of the project and meeting the expectations of the stakeholders.

Result orientation — recommended articles

Accountability and transparency — Measures of success — Project governance model — Importance of project management — Training objective — Strategic and operational plan — Stakeholder management plan — Success of the project — Structure of the project

References

• Westerveld, E. (2003). The Project Excellence Model®: linking success criteria and critical success factors. International Journal of project management, 21(6), 411-418.
• Lindgren, M., & Packendorff, J. (2003). A project-based view of entrepreneurship: Towards action-orientation, seriality and collectivity. New movements in entrepreneurship, 86-102.
• Arif, M. (2009). Customer orientation in e-government project management: A case study. Asymptotic and Computational Methods in Spatial Statistics, 1.