Behelfslösung

Behelfslösung is a German term meaning a makeshift, provisional or improvised solution used to address a problem temporarily until a permanent remedy is available. The compound word combines Behelf (aid, expedient) and Lösung (solution). In English it is often rendered as "workaround", "stopgap" or "temporary fix."

Behelfslösungen appear across many domains: engineering (temporary repairs to structures or machinery), information technology (patches or configuration changes to bypass bugs), medicine (emergency measures before definitive treatment), and everyday life (improvised tools or arrangements). They may be planned as interim measures or arise spontaneously under pressure, such as in emergencies or when resources are limited.

Advantages of a Behelfslösung include speed, lower immediate cost, and avoidance of service interruptions. Disadvantages can include reduced safety, lower performance, increased maintenance needs, and accumulation of technical debt if the temporary measure becomes permanent. Legal or regulatory issues may also arise if a provisional solution fails to meet required standards.

Best practice recommends documenting any Behelfslösungen, clearly indicating their temporary status, assessing associated risks, and scheduling a replacement by a permanent solution. In professional contexts the term can carry a mildly pejorative connotation when used to criticize reliance on inadequate provisional measures.