Eckdaten

Eckdaten is a German term that translates roughly to “key data” or “essential facts.” It refers to the core figures and attributes that define a subject, project, or situation and that serve as a basis for planning, communication, and comparison.

In practice, Eckdaten appear in many contexts, including project briefs, product sheets, real estate listings, and press materials. They provide a concise overview of the most important parameters, such as scope, timelines, costs, size and weight, location, and key performance indicators. A typical set may include start and end dates, budget or price, scope of work, deliverables, location, dimensions or capacity, and relevant regulatory or contractual constraints.

The purpose of Eckdaten is to enable quick understanding and to support evaluation, decision-making, and comparison with alternatives. They are usually intended to be objective, verifiable, and up-to-date, avoiding subjective judgments or narrative detail.

Eckdaten are often complemented by more detailed specifications or documentation. While they summarize the essentials, specifications provide in-depth technical requirements, measurements, and standards. In many organizations, Eckdaten appear in executive summaries, project dashboards, or product briefings to communicate the gist at a glance.

Related concepts include Spezifikationen (specifications), Kernkennzahlen (key performance indicators), and Produktdatenblätter (product data sheets).