preparation

Preparation refers to the act of making ready for a future action, event, or condition. It encompasses planning, gathering necessary resources, organizing tasks, and, when appropriate, practicing to achieve a desired outcome. The term derives from Latin praeparatio, from prae- 'before' and parare 'to prepare'.

In everyday life, preparation includes activities like budgeting, studying, packing, or scheduling. In science and medicine, it involves experimental design, equipment calibration, protocol development, and obtaining informed consent. In cooking, it means mise en place and processing ingredients before cooking. In emergency management, preparedness refers to measures taken to reduce harm from disasters, such as stockpiling supplies and drills.

A typical preparation process involves identifying objectives, assessing requirements and constraints, sourcing resources, creating a plan or checklist, assigning responsibilities, and rehearsing the steps. Risk assessment and contingency planning address uncertainties. Documentation and standard operating procedures help maintain consistency.

The effectiveness of preparation depends on information quality, time, resources, and adaptability. While thorough preparation can raise the likelihood of success, it cannot eliminate all risks. In some contexts, excessive or premature preparation can delay action; thus, balancing readiness with timeliness is common.

See also planning, risk management, readiness, and rehearsal.