Measure vs. Procedure — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 29, 2024
A measure refers to an action taken or a unit used to quantify or evaluate something, while a procedure is a series of steps followed in a specific order to accomplish a task or achieve a goal.
Difference Between Measure and Procedure
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Measure often implies a method or action taken to assess, quantify, or control something. On the other hand, a procedure is a systematic way of doing something, involving a sequence of actions or operations that are designed to achieve a specific outcome.
While measures can be seen as tools or actions for assessment or control, procedures are about the how-to aspect, outlining the steps required to accomplish a particular task. A measure might be part of a procedure, especially if quantification or assessment is necessary as a step within the procedure. For instance, measuring the concentration of a substance in a lab could be a step in a broader scientific procedure.
Measures are often used in the context of planning, evaluation, or control, where the emphasis is on the metrics or actions taken. Procedures, however, are employed to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in operational contexts, detailing the methodology for routine or complex tasks.
The distinction between measure and procedure highlights the difference between tools or actions used for evaluation and the structured approach to carrying out tasks. Understanding this distinction is crucial in various fields, from science and engineering to business and healthcare, as it affects how objectives are achieved and outcomes are evaluated.
Comparison Chart
Definition
An action taken or unit used to quantify or evaluate.
A series of steps followed in a specific order to accomplish a task.
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Purpose
To assess, control, or quantify.
To achieve a specific outcome through a systematic method.
Context
Planning, evaluation, control.
Operational tasks, methodology.
Example
Using meters to measure distance.
Following a recipe to bake a cake.
Nature
Can be a singular action or a standard unit.
Involves multiple, sequential actions.
Compare with Definitions
Measure
An action taken as a means to an end.
The government introduced new measures to combat unemployment.
Procedure
A set method for performing a task.
The procedure for evacuating the building was practiced regularly.
Measure
A standard unit used to express the size, amount, or degree of something.
The room's dimensions were given in meters, the standard measure for length.
Procedure
A series of actions conducted in a certain order or manner.
The medical procedure for treating the condition involves several steps.
Measure
A legislative bill or statute.
A new measure was passed to improve public health.
Procedure
A surgical operation.
The patient underwent a procedure to remove the appendix.
Measure
A step taken to achieve a particular aim.
Safety measures were implemented to protect workers.
Procedure
A series of steps taken to accomplish an end.
The laboratory procedure requires careful measurement and mixing of chemicals.
Measure
The extent, quantity, or capacity as ascertained by measurement.
They used a thermometer to measure the temperature.
Procedure
An established or official way of doing something.
The company has a strict procedure for handling complaints.
Measure
A reference standard or sample used for the quantitative comparison of properties
The standard kilogram is maintained as a measure of mass.
Procedure
An established or official way of doing something
The police are now reviewing procedures
Parliamentary procedure
Measure
A unit specified by a scale, such as an inch, or by variable conditions, such as a day's march.
Procedure
A manner of proceeding; a way of performing or effecting something
Standard procedure.
Measure
A system of measurement, such as the metric system.
Procedure
A series of steps taken to accomplish an end
A medical procedure.
Evacuation procedures.
Measure
The dimensions, quantity, or capacity of something as ascertained by comparison with a standard
Curtains made to measure.
Took his measure for the suit jacket.
Procedure
(Computers) A set of instructions that performs a specific task; a subroutine or function.
Measure
A device used for measuring.
Procedure
A set of established forms or methods for conducting the affairs of an organized body such as a business, club, or government.
Measure
The act of measuring
By measure the picture was four feet tall.
Procedure
(Law) The set of rules under which litigation is conducted, especially in contrast to the set of substantive legal principles that determine the merits of legal controversies and disputes.
Measure
An evaluation or a basis of comparison
"the final measure of the worth of a society" (Joseph Wood Krutch).
Procedure
A particular method for performing a task.
Measure
Extent or degree
The problem was in large measure caused by his carelessness.
Procedure
A series of small tasks or steps taken to accomplish an end.
Measure
A definite quantity that has been measured out
A measure of wine.
Procedure
(uncountable) The set of established forms or methods of an organized body for accomplishing a certain task or tasks.
Ensure that you follow procedure when accessing customers' personal information.
Measure
A fitting amount
A measure of recognition.
Procedure
The steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding.
Measure
A limited amount or degree
A measure of goodwill.
Procedure
(obsolete) That which results; issue; product.
Measure
Limit; bounds
Generosity knowing no measure.
Procedure
(computing) A subroutine or function coded to perform a specific task, but does not return a value.
Measure
Appropriate restraint; moderation
"The union of ... fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal" (William James).
Procedure
(medicine) A surgical operation.
Measure
An action taken as a means to an end; an expedient
Measures taken to improve energy efficiency.
Procedure
The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct.
Measure
A law or ballot initiative adopted by a legislature as a remedy for a problem.
Procedure
A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding.
Measure
Poetic meter.
Procedure
That which results; issue; product.
Measure
(Music) The metric unit between two bars on the staff; a bar.
Procedure
A particular course of action intended to achieve a result;
The procedure of obtaining a driver's license
It was a process of trial and error
Measure
To ascertain the dimensions, quantity, or capacity of
Measured the height of the ceiling.
Procedure
A process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work;
The operations in building a house
Certain machine tool operations
Measure
To mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring
Measure off an area.
Procedure
A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
Measure
To mark off or apportion, usually with reference to a given unit of measurement
Measure out a pint of milk.
Procedure
A mode of conducting legal and parliamentary proceedings
Measure
To allot or distribute as if by measuring; mete
The revolutionary tribunal measured out harsh justice.
Measure
To estimate by evaluation or comparison
"I gave them an account ... of the situation as far as I could measure it" (Winston S. Churchill).
Measure
To bring into comparison
She measured her power with that of a dangerous adversary.
Measure
To serve as a measure of
The inch measures length.
Measure
To consider or choose with care; weigh
He measures his words with caution.
Measure
(Archaic) To travel over
"We must measure twenty miles today" (Shakespeare).
Measure
To be of a specific measurement
The room measures 12 by 20 feet.
Measure
To take a measurement.
Measure
To allow of measurement
White sugar measures more easily than brown.
Measure
A prescribed quantity or extent.
Measure
(obsolete) Moderation, temperance.
Measure
A limit that cannot be exceeded; a bound. (Now chiefly in set phrases.)
Measure
An (unspecified) portion or quantity.
Measure
The act or result of measuring.
Measure
A receptacle or vessel of a standard size, capacity etc. as used to deal out specific quantities of some substance.
A measure of salt
Measure
A standard against which something can be judged; a criterion.
Honesty is the true measure of a man.
Measure
Any of various standard units of capacity.
The villagers paid a tithe of a thousand measures of corn.
Measure
A unit of measurement.
Measure
The size of someone or something, as ascertained by measuring. (Now chiefly in make to measure.)
Measure
The act or process of measuring.
Measure
A ruler, measuring stick, or graduated tape used to take measurements.
Measure
A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; a divisor or factor.
The greatest common measure of two or more numbers
Measure
(geology) A bed or stratum.
Coal measures; lead measures
Measure
(mathematics) A function that assigns a non-negative number to a given set following the mathematical nature that is common among length, volume, probability and the like.
Measure
Metrical rhythm.
Measure
A melody.
Measure
A dance.
Measure
(poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a metrical foot.
A poem in iambic measure
Measure
(music) A musical designation consisting of all notes and or rests delineated by two vertical bars; an equal and regular division of the whole of a composition; a bar.
Measure
A course of action.
Measure
(in plural) Actions designed to achieve some purpose; plans.
Measure
A piece of legislation.
Measure
To ascertain the quantity of a unit of material via calculated comparison with respect to a standard.
We measured the temperature with a thermometer.
You should measure the angle with a spirit level.
Measure
(stative) To be of (a certain size), to have (a certain measurement)
The window measured two square feet.
Measure
To estimate the unit size of something.
I measure that at 10 centimetres.
Measure
To judge, value, or appraise.
Measure
To obtain or set apart; to mark in even increments.
Measure
(rare) To traverse, cross, pass along; to travel over.
Measure
To adjust by a rule or standard.
Measure
To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; often with out or off.
Measure
A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
Measure
An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.
False ells and measures be brought all clean adown.
Measure
The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Measure
The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount.
It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal.
Measure
Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.
Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure.
Measure
Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion.
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days.
Measure
The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
Measure
Undefined quantity; extent; degree.
There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession.
Measure
Regulated division of movement
Measure
A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers; a denominator. See common denominator under denominator.
Measure
A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure.
His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error.
Measure
The act of measuring; measurement.
Measure
Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures.
Say to her, we have measured many milesTo tread a measure with her on this grass.
Measure
To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise.
Great are thy works, Jehovah, infiniteThy power! what thought can measure thee?
Measure
To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.
Measure
To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance.
A true devoted pilgrim is not wearyTo measure kingdoms with his feeble steps.
Measure
To adjust by a rule or standard.
To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires.
Measure
To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; - often with out or off.
With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun.
Measure
To make a measurement or measurements.
Measure
To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
Measure
To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.
Measure
The act or process of measuring;
The measurements were carefully done
His mental measurings proved remarkably accurate
Measure
A basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated;
They set the measure for all subsequent work
Measure
How much there is of something that you can quantify
Measure
Any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal;
The situation called for strong measures
The police took steps to reduce crime
Measure
A statute in draft before it becomes law;
They held a public hearing on the bill
Measure
(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
Measure
Musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats;
The orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song
Measure
Measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals; used as a reference in making measurements
Measure
Determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of;
Measure the length of the wall
Measure
Express as a number or measure or quantity;
Can you quantify your results?
Measure
Have certain dimensions;
This table surfaces measures 20inches by 36 inches
Measure
Place a value on; judge the worth of something;
I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional
Common Curiosities
Can a procedure exist without any measures?
While some procedures may not explicitly involve measurement, many include implicit measures of time, sequence, or quality to ensure the task is performed correctly.
How do measures contribute to achieving a procedure’s outcome?
Measures contribute by providing quantifiable data or control actions that support the systematic approach outlined in the procedure.
What is the main difference between a measure and a procedure?
The main difference lies in their purpose: a measure is used to assess or quantify, while a procedure is a series of steps designed to accomplish a task.
Why are procedures important in operational contexts?
Procedures ensure consistency, efficiency, and accuracy in performing tasks, leading to reliable and predictable outcomes.
Can a measure be part of a procedure?
Yes, measuring can be a step within a procedure, especially if assessment or quantification is necessary for the task.
How does the complexity of a task affect its procedure?
More complex tasks require more detailed procedures to ensure each step is clearly defined and followed correctly.
How do measures impact decision-making?
Measures provide the data needed to evaluate options, monitor performance, and make informed decisions.
Can measures and procedures be modified?
Both can be modified based on feedback, effectiveness, and changes in goals or technologies to improve outcomes or efficiency.
How do cultural differences impact procedures?
Cultural differences can influence the design and implementation of procedures, especially in global operations, affecting communication and compliance.
What happens when measures or procedures are not followed?
Not following measures or procedures can lead to inaccuracies, inefficiencies, safety risks, and failure to achieve desired outcomes.
What role do procedures play in safety?
Procedures play a critical role in safety by outlining the steps needed to perform tasks safely, reducing the risk of accidents or errors.
Are all measures quantifiable?
Most measures are quantifiable, but some can also be qualitative, assessing characteristics that aren't numerically measured.
Do measures have to be standardized?
Standardization of measures is important for consistency and comparability, especially in scientific and business contexts.
What is the significance of procedural documentation?
Documentation provides a tangible record of procedures, ensuring knowledge is preserved and can be consistently applied or taught.
Can the effectiveness of a procedure be measured?
Yes, through specific performance metrics, feedback, and the achievement of desired outcomes, the effectiveness of a procedure can be evaluated.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
