operationally

Operationally is an adverb formed from the adjective operational. It denotes the manner in which something functions in practice or within the context of operations, as opposed to theory or concept. It can describe a state of being in operation or how a system behaves under real-world conditions. The term is common in technical, military, and organizational discourse, where emphasis is on feasibility, readiness, and execution.

In technical and engineering contexts, operationally describes the performance or readiness of equipment, software, or processes. For example, a device may be considered operationally ready when it has passed required tests and can perform its intended function under expected conditions. In project planning and management, phrases such as operationally feasible or operationally critical refer to outcomes judged by practicality and impact on ongoing operations rather than by abstract analysis alone.

In science and social science, the phrase operationally often appears in relation to operational definitions—statements that specify how a concept will be observed or measured. This usage emphasizes observable operations to enable reproducibility and objective assessment.

Common collocations include operationally ready, operationally defined, operationally feasible, and operationally deployed. The distinction from the adjective operational lies mainly in part of speech and emphasis on practical application and conduct rather than inherent properties.

See also: operation, operational definition, operations, operational readiness.