In this somewhat satirical Junior Dev Diaries post, I want to cover office/tech/workplace jargon and terms. Most of these were completely new to me, and too often now I find myself using them fluently, and for that, I hate myself.
The Terms
Across It β This means understand it after looking at it for a while. Example βOh, Iβm not across that new work that Jane did on the project yetβ.
Catch Up β Have a conversation. βIβd like to catch up next week to discuss the projectβ
Check In β Have a conversation. βIβd like to check in next week to discuss the projectβ
Touch Base β Have a conversation, but you want to be a creep about it. βIβd like to touch base next week to discuss the projectβ
Push Back β You didnβt get your way, sometimes with a reason. βThey pushed back on that approach, they wanted us to find a cheaper wayβ.
Challenge It/You β Tell you youβre wrong, maybe with reasons. Usually for your own benefit or your arguments benefit (you may not have explained it right). βI might just challenge you on that, what if we used a 3rd party solution instead?β
Scope β The work to do, and what you donβt need to do. βOh thatβs out of scope.β
Deliverable β The things that are outputs of the work, such as code or a document.* βCan you add the documentation to the project deliverables? Ta!β*
Value Add β The positive impact you add to the company or product. βYeah, but whatβs the value add here? I dont know if the new client will benefit from that!?β
Pair β Work together on something, because two people will make it go fasterβ¦right? βIβll pair with you on that documentβ.
Conscious Of β Stressing out about something, but a bit more calmly. Something might be bugging them and itβs bugging them that itβs not bugging you. βIβm conscious of the time left on the project and the remaining deliverables do be done. How can I help?β
Make a Case β Forming a coherent argument for something that isnβt trivial. βThat idea sounds great, Sam. Iβll get you to make a case for it at the next meeting.β
Go Live β When something is being released to the public. Nothing to do with a biological heartbeat. βThe new health and safety legislation is going live next week β youβll see press about itβ¦β
Challenges β The stuff we need to figure out but weβre trying to stay positive about it. βBrad, Iβm keen to hear about the challenges a two new team members will bring!β
Opportunities β False hope of benefits by the under-informed. βIβm really excited by the opportunities Artificial Intelligence will bring to our companyβ
In This Space β Sentance sugar for βhereβ that makes you sound so much smarter. Often combined with previous jargon. βIβm really excited about cryptocurrency. Thereβs a lot of opportunity in this space.β
Fall out β Failing on a commitment but trying to get away with it. Somewhat of a βbasket of deliverables metaphor I think? βIβm afraid that the video feature will probably fall out of this sprint.β
Descoping β Failing on a commitment but trying to get away with it. βIβm afraid that the video feature will probably be descoped for this task.β
So thatβs a few terms to start learning and using around the office. You can mix and mash them too. Get creative. How many can you jam into a single phrase? Remember, the smarter you sound, the better you are. Think about it β If youβre not both translating in and out of this corporate wankery β are you really working?
Better living everyone.
Thanks to my good friends in my life who I have a bit of a laugh about this with every now and then. They helped me form this most wonderful list. Γ’ΒΒ€
Top comments (6)
Great post. π
Thanks Ben! Do you try read all of these? How do you get anything done!? Haha
Oh, it ain't always easy. I also don't read all the stuff on the site but I read your stuff π
I really appreciate that Ben! You must be a busy guy :)
off-line, to indicate a conversation that should be continued in a different setting. "Let's take this off-line".
Another great one!