Differentiating between means and ends. Almost all performance improvement experts agree on the importance of writing and using measurable performance objectives. Objectives correctly focus on ends and not methods, means, or resources.3 Ends—”Whats”—sensibly should be identified and defined before we select “How” to get from where we are to our destinations. If we don’t select our solutions, methods, resources, and interventions on the basis of what results we are to achieve, what do we have in mind for their selection?

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Figure 5.2. The difference between ends and means.

As Figure 5.2 shows, ends and means are different but related. Means are useless ...

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