manageable

Manageable is an adjective describing something that can be controlled, handled, or dealt with without excessive difficulty. In everyday use, a task, workload, or problem is considered manageable when it can be planned, resourced, and executed within available time and constraints. The term often implies a balance between scope and capability, such that effort, risk, and complexity do not exceed an ordinary person's or team's capacity to address them.

Etymology: The word is formed from the verb manage plus the suffix -able, from Old French managier and Latin manu (hand) for the sense of handling or directing by hand; the current form has been in use since the early modern period.

Applications: In project management and work planning, a manageable scope allows for progress tracking, milestone setting, and risk mitigation. Teams aim for breakable tasks, clear ownership, and measurable outcomes to keep work manageable. In software and systems design, manageable complexity refers to keeping the number of interacting parts within the cognitive limits of the developers and operators; maintainability and operability are related concepts. In risk assessment, a risk is considered manageable if its probability and impact can be reduced to an acceptable level through controls and resources.

Limitations: What is manageable varies by context, resources, and experience. A task that is manageable for a large organization may be unmanageable for a small team.

Related terms: manageability (noun), manage, manageable; opposites include unmanageable and unfeasible.