> "elegant: builds a system in a way that is technically satisfying efficient: builds a system in a way that uses the least resources effective: builds a system in way that solves the problem"

No, 'Effective' solves the problem, but not necessarily in the "best" way possible. In my opinion, the quote as stated is just wrong. Effective means "gets it done", but doesn't convey that it was done optimally.

It makes much more sense to me to say...

"Any run-of-the-mill engineer can design something which is effective. A good engineer designs systems to be efficient. A great engineer designs them to be elegant."