Technical and Operational Terms

An organ that pumps blood; can be technical in medical contexts or operational in discussions about health.

• Liver

• Lung

• Heart

• Kidney

An instrument used to carry out a particular function; can be technical in terms of software or operational in terms of physical tools.

• Tool

• Gadget

• Device

• Instrument

The main stem of a tree; can be technical in botany or operational in discussions about transportation.

• Branch

• Trunk

• Root

• Leaf

A set of data arranged in rows and columns; can be technical in data representation or operational in organizing information.

• Chart

• Graph

• Table

• List

The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions; primarily technical.

• Research

• Analysis

• Experimentation

• Observation

A shape resembling a flattened circle; generally operational in geometry.

• Circle

• Square

• Oval

• Triangle

To observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time; typically technical in IT or operational in management.

• Monitor

• Evaluate

• Assess

• Review

A feeling of wanting to know or learn about something; generally operational as it relates to engagement.

• Curiosity

• Interest

• Apathy

• Disinterest

The process of thinking deeply about something; can be technical in terms of self-assessment or operational in terms of feedback.

• Reflection

• Introspection

• Analysis

• Observation

A hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface; technical in computing.

• Mouse

• Trackpad

• Joystick

• Graphics Tablet