Project Management Glossary

adjective in a state of delay or tardiness

adverb in a tardy or delayed manner

• The project fell behindhand due to unexpected delays in the supply chain.
• I'm sorry I'm a bit behindhand on my part of the group project.
• I didn't realize I was so behindhand on my homework until the last minute.
• She felt like she was always behindhand in life, struggling to catch up with everyone else.

adverb Briefly is an adverb that describes how something is done in a short or concise manner.

• I will briefly summarize the main points of the report during the presentation.
• Let me just quickly go over the key details of the plan.
• I'll give you the lowdown on the situation real quick.
• The sun briefly peeked out from behind the clouds before disappearing again.

noun the arrangement or distribution of forces or resources for action

• The company announced the deployment of new software to improve efficiency.
• They're planning on deploying the new system next week.
• Let's get ready for the big deployment of the latest updates.
• The deployment of troops in the battle was strategic and well-executed.

verb to bring about or cause something to happen

• The new policy aims to effectuate positive changes in the workplace.
• Let's work together to effectuate our plan.
• If we want to succeed, we need to really effectuate our goals.
• Her words had the power to effectuate a transformation in his mindset.

verb to prevent or hinder something from happening or to anticipate and deal with something in advance

• The company implemented new policies to forestall any potential legal issues.
• I made sure to speak up early to forestall any misunderstandings.
• I had to act fast to forestall any drama from happening.
• She tried to forestall the inevitable breakup, but it was unavoidable.

noun a hindrance or obstruction in doing something

• The lack of funding proved to be a major impediment to the project's success.
• His fear of public speaking was a big impediment when it came to presenting in front of the class.
• Her ex-boyfriend was a real impediment to her happiness.
• The dark clouds looming overhead were an impediment to our plans for a picnic.

noun the act of obtaining or acquiring something, typically through effort or a process

• The procurement department is responsible for sourcing and purchasing goods and services for the company.
• The procurement team is in charge of getting all the stuff we need for the office.
• The procurement crew is on a mission to score the best deals for our business.
• In the game of business, procurement is like playing chess - strategic moves to acquire the best resources.

verb to make compatible or consistent

• It is important to reconcile any discrepancies in the financial records.
• They need to reconcile their differences before they can move forward.
• I'm trying to reconcile with my ex, but it's complicated.
• It can be challenging to reconcile your past with your present self.

verb to regain or recover something lost or spent

• The company aims to recoup its losses by implementing cost-cutting measures.
• I need to recoup the money I spent on that concert ticket by selling some old clothes.
• I gotta recoup some cash before the weekend so I can go out with my friends.
• After a long day of work, I like to recoup by taking a relaxing bath.

noun a return to a previous state or position

verb to revert back to a previous state or position

• The company decided to implement a rollback of the new policy due to negative feedback from customers.
• I heard they're doing a rollback on the prices at the grocery store next week.
• They had to do a rollback on that decision because it was a total disaster.
• Sometimes in life, you have to do a rollback and start fresh with a new perspective.

adjective describing something that was not expected or foreseen

• The company faced financial difficulties due to unanticipated changes in the market.
• I was caught off guard by the unanticipated rainstorm during our picnic.
• I didn't expect that plot twist in the movie, it was totally unanticipated!
• The unanticipated wave of emotions hit me like a ton of bricks.

adjective not able to be foreseen or predicted

• The economic downturn was caused by a series of unforeseeable events.
• I never saw that coming, it was totally unforeseeable.
• That was a real curveball, totally unforeseeable.
• The storm of emotions that followed was like an unforeseeable tsunami.

verb Wasting is a verb that refers to the act of using or expending something carelessly or without proper use or purpose.

• He was wasting precious time on unnecessary tasks.
• Stop wasting your energy on things that don't matter.
• Why are you wasting your time on that nonsense?
• She felt like she was wasting away in a dead-end job.

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the minimum level or extent required or expected

preposition shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence, indicating the minimum level or amount

• It is recommended to arrive at the meeting at a minimum of five minutes early.
• You should aim to have at least $20 at a minimum for the concert tickets.
• You gotta have at least some snacks at a minimum for the road trip.
• To succeed in this project, you need to have determination at a minimum.

noun Work in Progress - a project that is not yet completed

• The project is still a work in progress (WIP) and we are working diligently to meet the deadline.
• I haven't finished that report yet, it's still a WIP.
• I'm still tweaking my website, it's a total WIP right now.
• Life is a constant WIP, always evolving and changing.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective describing word that modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb describing word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

• The scientist was puzzled by the presence of an unknown unknown in their research findings.
• I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with this unknown unknown situation.
• I'm totally lost when it comes to dealing with these unknown unknowns.
• Sometimes life throws us curveballs in the form of unknown unknowns.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective describing word that modifies a noun

• Scientists are constantly studying the known unknowns in the field of quantum physics.
• We're trying to figure out the known unknowns in this project.
• It's like we're chasing after the known unknowns in this mystery.
• Life is full of known unknowns, like unexpected opportunities waiting to be discovered.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

article a word that specifies a noun (e.g. the, a, an)

• Before making a decision, it is advisable to thoroughly kick the tyres and inspect the vehicle for any defects.
• Hey, before you buy that car, make sure to kick the tyres and check if everything is okay.
• I always kick the tyres before I commit to buying anything second-hand.
• It's always a good idea to kick the tyres and test things out before fully committing to a new project.

noun a system of recording and summarizing financial transactions

preposition used to indicate the cause or reason for something

• When analyzing the budget, it is important to take into consideration all expenses, accounting for every dollar spent.
• I made sure to include all my receipts when doing my taxes, accounting for every purchase I made throughout the year.
• I had to make sure I had all my bases covered when telling my parents where I was going, accounting for every detail.
• The detective meticulously went over the evidence, accounting for every possible scenario in the investigation.