GUIDELINES TO NRDC feb 24 2014

Efficiency and Effectiveness, ContinuedEffectivenessis paramountOf the two, effectiveness is paramount, but why? The answer is simple: It'ssenseless to do things right if they're not the right things. Pursuing efficiencyfor its own sake shows lack of vision and denies one the opportunity to excel.If efficiency becomes an end in itself, it can replace effectiveness as the ultimategoal. Efficiency and effectiveness may become antagonistic rather thancomplementary. When they conflict, they can tear at the moral fabric oforganizations.Activity trapLacking a focus on effectiveness, people may work hard yet achieve little. They'lldrift into the so-called activity trap. This occurs when an organization lacks aworthy mission or its leadership fails to clarify goals or demonstrate commitmentto achieving them.This graphic depicts an organization snared in this trap. While it may be verybusy and very efficient in its internal processes, it's producing nothing worthwhile:Inputs:• Demands• Energy• Information• ResourcesConversion:• Work• Action• Process• BehaviorOutputs:• Goods• Services• ResultsFigure 3-1. An efficient but ineffective organizationNRDC GRC – Staff Handbook 3-3