lähtötilannetta

Lähtötilanne, literally meaning "starting situation" in Finnish, refers to the initial state of a system, process, or project from which actions begin and changes are measured. The term is used across disciplines to designate the baseline against which progress, outcomes, or scenarios are evaluated. In Finnish texts, inflected forms such as lähtötilanne and lähtötilannetta appear depending on sentence structure.

In mathematics and engineering, the lähtötilanne corresponds to initial conditions at a starting time t0. These include state variables and parameters required to solve equations or to simulate a dynamic system. In planning, project management and risk assessment, it denotes the baseline data set—resources, schedule, budget, constraints, and known risks—that define the starting point of a plan or model. In research, it can describe the pre-treatment or pre-intervention state of participants or samples.

Establishing the lähtötilanne involves collecting accurate data, documenting assumptions, and identifying uncertainties. It includes specifying key variables, units, and reference points. This starting point provides a reference against which progress, simulations, and outcomes are measured and interpreted.

The concept is closely related to baseline, initial conditions, and scenario planning. It is distinct from the target state or goal, which describes the intended outcomes after changes have been implemented. A poorly defined lähtötilanne can bias analyses and planning, highlighting the need for transparent data collection and regular updates as conditions evolve.