Tervszerség

Tervszerség is a Hungarian term used to describe a mindset or culture that prioritizes planning and proceduralism in organizations and governance. The word combines ter v (plan) with the suffix -szerség, which denotes a mode or instrument, conveying planning as an active means of organizing work and foreseeing outcomes rather than a vague aspiration.

In contemporary discourse it appears in management, public administration, and political theory to characterize leaders or institutions that emphasize thorough planning, long-term objectives, risk assessment, and formalized processes for coordination and control. Proponents argue that tervszerség can improve predictability, accountability, and efficient resource use by reducing improvisation.

Critics warn that excessive planning may impede adaptability, slow decision-making, and entrench bureaucratic inertia. In debates about economy and policy, tervszerség is often described as a double-edged tendency: it can provide stability and clarity yet overlook uncertainty and the need for flexible, iterative responses.

Historically, the term is associated with discussions of centralized planning and bureaucratic administration in Hungary and other post-socialist contexts, where planners emphasize rules and procedures. Related concepts include planning culture, proceduralism, and bureaucratic rationality. Since its usage varies by author, the exact definition of tervszerség is context-dependent.

See also: tervezés; tervgazdaság; bürokrácia.