Professional Vocabulary
Vocabulary that works in meetings, emails and reviews.
Precise, unfussy words for work. They keep writing direct without sounding cold, and they are specific enough to prevent the polite vagueness that makes an email need a second email.
27 words
pragmatic
noun
An imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land.
strategic
adjective
Relating to or concerned with strategy.
“strategic weapon”
scope
noun
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet".
“a piano has a greater range than the human voice”
mandate
noun
A document giving an official instruction or command.
leverage
noun
The mechanical advantage gained by being in a position to use a lever.
contingency
noun
A possible event or occurrence or result.
consensus
noun
Agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole.
“the lack of consensus reflected differences in theoretical positions”
precedent
noun
An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time.
metric
noun
A function of a topological space that gives, for any two points in the space, a value equal to the distance between them.
rationale
noun
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature).
“the rationale for capital punishment”
deliverable
noun
Something that can be provided as the product of development.
escalate
verb
Increase in extent or intensity.
“The Allies escalated the bombing”
prioritize
verb
Assign a priority to.
“we have too many things to do and must prioritize”
delegate
verb
Transfer power to someone.
stakeholder
noun
Someone entrusted to hold the stakes for two or more persons betting against one another; must deliver the stakes to the winner.
milestone
noun
Stone post at side of a road to show distances.
sustainable
adjective
Capable of being sustained.
diligence
noun
Conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a given situation.
procedural
adjective
Of or relating to procedure.
“a procedural violation”
objective
noun
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable).
“the sole object of her trip was to see her children”
allocate
verb
Distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose.
“I am allocating a loaf of bread to everyone on a daily basis”
consolidate
verb
Unite into one.
“The companies consolidated”
liaison
noun
A usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship.
mitigate
verb
Lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of.
“The circumstances extenuate the crime”
benchmark
noun
A standard by which something can be measured or judged.
“his painting sets the benchmark of quality”
proficient
adjective
Of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill.
“his technical innovation was his brushwork”
competent
adjective
Properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient.
“a competent typist”