prenotifying

Prenotifying is the practice of informing individuals or systems about a forthcoming event, action, or change before it occurs. It is used to prepare recipients, coordinate activities, and reduce uncertainty. The term derives from the Latin prae- meaning before and notification.

In business and information technology, prenotification often precedes events such as system maintenance, policy changes, product launches, or safety drills. It may target internal stakeholders, external customers, or automated subsystems and is typically governed by governance documents, privacy rules, and timing policies.

Implementation usually relies on predetermined channels such as email, calendar invites, dashboards, or alerting platforms. Messages may include a description of the event, date and time, impact, required actions, and contact points. Opt-in consent and data minimization are common privacy considerations.

Benefits include improved coordination, reduced delays, and greater readiness. Prenotification can decrease operational risk, support compliance, and enhance customer experience. Risks include alert fatigue, miscommunication, and privacy concerns if notifications are inaccurate or intrusive.

Examples include a software release notification sent to developers before a deployment window, a hospital pre-notification of a patient appointment with preparation steps, and a regulatory body warning residents of an upcoming drill.