Formaliserar

Formaliserar is a Swedish verb meaning to make something formal or to establish formal status, procedures, or documentation. It is used when informal arrangements, agreements, or processes are converted into formal ones through rules, contracts, or official recognition.

In practice, formalisation occurs in business, government, science, and law. It can involve drawing up written contracts, codifying procedures, appointing formal responsibilities, or adopting official standards. The aim is to increase predictability, accountability, and legitimacy, though it may also reduce flexibility.

Etymology: Formaliserar derives from the verb formalisera, which in turn comes from the Latin root formalis via the development of the Swedish verb-forming suffix -era. The -ar ending marks the present tense for the third-person singular in standard Swedish.

Usage notes: The term is common in discussions of governance, project management, law, and compliance. It often contrasts with informal arrangements or tacit understandings and is frequently associated with formal documentation, contracts, or institutional rules.

Examples: In a public administration context, formaliserar might be used to describe turning an informal policy into a formal regulation. In business, a team might formaliserar its meeting cadence by establishing a fixed schedule and recording minutes.

See also: formalization, standardization, governance, contract, procedure.