termijnschaal

Termijnschaal is a Dutch concept describing a standardized scale of time horizons or deadlines used to categorize activities, obligations, or milestones. In practice it serves to express urgency, maturity, or planning horizon in a consistent way across documents and processes. The term combines termijn (term, due date, maturity) and schaal (scale, range).

Applications vary by sector but are common in public administration, procurement, project management, and policy planning. Organizations use een termijnschaal to assign targets, monitor progress, and allocate resources by time bands rather than by absolute dates.

Typical bands are defined locally: immediate or urgent (often within 24 hours to a few days); short-term (up to a few weeks); mid-term (one to a few months); long-term (six months to a year); and very long-term (beyond a year). Because there is no universal standard, the exact thresholds differ per organization and context. A well-defined termijnschaal includes precise definitions for each band, examples of use, and linkage to performance indicators or budgets.

Benefits include improved clarity, better prioritization, and easier reporting. Drawbacks include potential ambiguity if terms are not clearly defined, and the risk of rigidity in dynamic contexts. Related terms include tijdshorizon (time horizon), deadline, and tijdlijn (timeline).