Effectiveness

Effectiveness is the capability of producing a desired result or the ability to produce desired output. When something is deemed effective, it means it has an intended or expected outcome, or produces a deep, vivid impression.[1]

"Effective" redirects here. For the album by Side Effect, see Effective (album). For the database of predicted bacterial secreted proteins, see Effective (database).

Etymology

The origin of the word "effective" stems from the Latin word effectīvus, which means creative, productive or effective. It surfaced in Middle English between 1300 and 1400 A.D.[2]

Usage

In mathematics, effective is sometimes used as a synonym of algorithmically computable.

In physics, an effective theory is, similar to a phenomenological theory, a framework intended to explain certain (observed) effects without the claim that the theory correctly models the underlying (unobserved) processes.

In heat transfer, effectiveness is a measure of the performance of a heat exchanger when using the NTU method.

In medicine, effectiveness relates to how well a treatment works in practice, especially as shown in pragmatic clinical trials, as opposed to efficacy, which measures how well it works in explanatory clinical trials or research laboratory studies.

In management, effectiveness relates to getting the right things done. Peter Drucker reminds us that "effectiveness can and must be learned".[3]

In human–computer interaction, effectiveness is defined as "the accuracy and completeness of users' tasks while using a system".[4]

In military science, effectiveness is a criterion used to assess changes determined in the target system, in its behavior, capability, or assets, tied to the attainment of an end state, achievement of an objective, or creation of an effect.[5], while combat effectiveness is: "...the readiness of a military unit to engage in combat based on behavioral, operational, and leadership considerations. Combat effectiveness measures the ability of a military force to accomplish its objective and is one component of overall military effectiveness."[6][7]

Efficacy, efficiency, and effectivity are terms that can, in some cases, be interchangeable with the term effectiveness. The word effective is sometimes used in a quantitative way, "being very effective or not very effective". However, neither effectiveness, nor effectively, inform about the direction (positive or negative) and the comparison to a standard of the given effect. Efficacy, on the other hand, is the extent to which a desired effect is achieved; the ability to produce a desired amount of the desired effect, or the success in achieving a given goal. Contrary to the term efficiency, the focus of efficacy is the achievement as such, not the resources spent in achieving the desired effect. Therefore, what is effective is not necessarily efficacious, and what is efficacious is not necessarily efficient.[8]

Other synonyms for effectiveness include: clout, capability, success, weight, performance.[9] Antonyms for effectiveness include: uselessness, ineffectiveness.[10]

Simply stated, effective means achieving an effect, and efficient means achieving it with little waste. To illustrate: suppose, in order to arrest a murderer, the police bring in twenty officers, close off the streets and engage the man in a long gun battle before finally getting him in handcuffs. That would be effective, in the sense that the desired effect is achieved. But if the murderer steps out of his front door to smell the roses and three officers put the handcuffs on him, that is efficient.

gollark: Also, it would be funny.
gollark: It's a shame it's not customizable. You could set it to "Dear God" or something.
gollark: Google then Facebook in my opinion, yes.
gollark: There was that cool exploit with using a laser to mess up the microphones and make them "hear" things too.
gollark: According to some testing of this smart speakers often just activate randomly, which is not ideal.

See also
  • Affectiveness, unrelated but easily confused word relating to emotions or attitudes

References
  1. Dictionary.com, LLC. "Effectiveness | Define Effectiveness at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. 2011. Web. 28 Sept. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/effectiveness>.
  2. Harper, Douglas. "Etymology Online." Online Etymology Dictionary. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.etymonline.com/>.
  3. Peter F. Drucker (2006). The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done. New York: Collins.
  4. DIN EN ISO 9241-11. Ergonomic Requirements for office with visual display terminals – Guidance on usability. Beuth, Berlin (1998)
  5. Commander’s Handbook for Strategic Communication and Communication Strategy, US Joint Forces Command, 2010
  6. "Combat effectiveness." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica.com. 24 Jan. 2019 https://www.britannica.com/topic/combat-effectiveness
  7. "Combat Effectiveness." The Oxford Companion to American Military History. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Jan. 2019. https://www.encyclopedia.com>.
  8. Longman, Pearson. "Effective - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online." Longman English Dictionary Online. 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2011. <http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/effective>.
  9. STANDS4 LLC. "Effectiveness Synonym." Synonyms.net. 2011. Web. 28 Sept. 2011. <http://www.synonyms.net/synonym/effectiveness>.
  10. STANDS4 LLC. "Effectiveness Synonym." Synonyms.net. 2011. Web. 28 Sept. 2011. <http://www.synonyms.net/synonym/effectiveness>.
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