Outcomes vs. Output
How often do we focus on what we’ve done rather than what we’ve achieved?
Introduction
Hi, my name is Suyesh Prabhugaonkar, and I’m a security consultant and ethical hacker passionate about providing effective solutions to our future’s evolving security problems.
Earlier last week, I found myself deep in conversation with a fellow cybersecurity professional about a topic that often gets overlooked: the difference between output and outcome. They made a point that really stuck with me — how often we, as technical specialists, get so wrapped up in our day-to-day deliverables that we sometimes forget to connect those efforts to the broader impact they have on the organization. It got me thinking: How often do we focus on what we’ve done rather than what we’ve achieved?
That conversation stayed with me, so I decided to dig deeper into the idea in this article. My hope is to highlight why this distinction is so critical, especially in the world of cybersecurity, and how it can help bridge the gap between technical and non-technical professionals.
Output vs. Outcome: A Subtle but Crucial Difference
Imagine you’re building a house. Outputs are like the bricks and mortar — you can measure how many bricks you’ve laid or how much mortar you’ve used. But the outcome is the finished house: sturdy, livable, and safe. Without the right vision and alignment, you might end up with a pile of bricks that doesn’t actually serve its purpose.
In cybersecurity, outputs are things like vulnerability scans, penetration test results, or the number of incidents detected. They’re measurable and tangible. But the outcome is the real goal: reduced risk, improved resilience, compliance with regulations, and ultimately, trust in the organization’s security posture.
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get stuck in the weeds of outputs. After all, they’re what we see and work on daily. But if we don’t step back to consider the outcomes, we risk losing sight of why we’re doing all this in the first place.
A Common Disconnect: Technical vs. Non-Technical Perspectives
Here’s where I think things get tricky. For most technical cybersecurity specialists, outputs are second nature. We can dive into the details of a vulnerability scan or analyze logs for hours. But for non-technical professionals, these details can feel overwhelming or, worse, irrelevant. They care about the “so what?” of our work: What does this mean for the company’s bottom line? How does it protect our reputation? Will it keep us out of regulatory hot water?
If we only focus on outputs, we risk speaking a language that stakeholders can’t understand. It’s like showing someone blueprints of a house when they just want to know if it’ll keep the rain out. Outcomes, on the other hand, are universal. They focus on the impact and value, not just the process.
Shifting to an Outcome Mindset
So how do we, as technical specialists, make that shift? How do we start seeing our work through the lens of outcomes and communicate it in a way that resonates with non-technical stakeholders?
1. Start with the “Why”
Think of every task you do as part of a larger story. A vulnerability scan isn’t just about identifying weaknesses; it’s about preventing a potential breach that could cost millions. When you frame your work in terms of its “why,” it becomes easier to connect it to the organization’s goals.
2. Speak Their Language
Non-technical stakeholders don’t want to know how the sausage is made — they want to know if it’s safe to eat. Instead of saying, “We patched 30 vulnerabilities,” explain, “We’ve reduced the likelihood of a data breach by 40%.” By translating outputs into outcomes, you make your work more relatable and impactful.
3. Use Analogies
Analogies can be powerful tools for bridging the gap between technical and non-technical perspectives. For example, think of cybersecurity as maintaining a car. Outputs are like changing the oil or replacing the tires — necessary tasks. But the outcome is ensuring the car runs smoothly and safely on the road. Analogies like this can help stakeholders grasp the bigger picture without needing to understand every detail.
4. Measure Impact, Not Just Effort
It’s tempting to measure success by the number of tasks completed. But what really matters is the impact of those tasks. Did your actions reduce risk? Improve compliance? Enhance customer trust? Focus on metrics that tell the story of your outcomes.
An Example of Alignment in Action
Let’s take a common scenario: a penetration test. A technical specialist might present the output as a detailed report listing dozens of vulnerabilities. But for the business professional, the outcome they care about is whether the organization’s risk level has decreased and what steps are needed to mitigate any remaining threats.
To bridge the gap, the technical team could summarize the findings in plain language: “Our penetration test identified five critical vulnerabilities, which we’ve prioritized and patched. As a result, we’ve reduced the likelihood of a data breach in our key systems by 80%, ensuring compliance with our regulatory requirements within our residual risk appetite, and allowing business operations to be conducted with better security for our customers without additional noise.”
This kind of outcome-focused communication not only shows the value of the technical work but also builds trust and understanding between teams.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, focusing on outcomes is about ensuring that all the effort we put into cybersecurity has a meaningful impact. It’s about aligning technical work with organizational goals, building stronger relationships between technical and non-technical teams, and ultimately creating a security program that protects what matters most.
As cybersecurity specialists, we often pride ourselves on solving complex technical problems. But the real challenge — and opportunity — is learning to view our work from the perspective of outcomes. When we do, we don’t just build safer systems; we help build stronger organizations.
So the next time you’re knee-deep in a technical task, take a moment to step back and ask yourself: What’s the outcome I’m driving toward?
