Berücksichtigung

Berücksichtigung is a German noun derived from the verb berücksichtigen. It designates the act of taking something into account or giving due regard to relevant factors in decision-making, planning, or evaluation. The term can also refer to the result of this process: the factors, interests, or constraints that have been acknowledged and weighed. In usage, Berücksichtigung denotes both the process of weighing considerations and the outcome of that weighing.

The phrase unter Berücksichtigung is common in formal and technical contexts, meaning “with regard to” or “taking into account.” For example, in planning or budgeting one speaks of Entscheidungen, die unter Berücksichtigung der Umweltverträglichkeit getroffen wurden. The expression Berücksichtigung finden describes something that should or does enter into consideration, as in a proposal or a rule that finds Berücksichtigung in a decision. The term is widely used in law, administration, economics and project planning.

Linguistically, Berücksichtigung belongs to a formal register. Synonyms include Beachtung (attention, observance) and Rücksicht (consideration in the sense of regard for others). Berücksichtigung differs from these in that it emphasizes a deliberate weighing of multiple factors within a decision or assessment, rather than mere noticing (Beachtung) or interpersonal regard (Rücksicht).

In practice, Berücksichtigung guides how problems are analyzed and how resources, rights, and interests are balanced. It appears in statutory texts, policy documents, and technical reports whenever decisions must reflect relevant information and competing concerns. Examples include environmental impact assessments, urban planning, and budgetary deliberations, where considerations must be weighed before a final choice is made.