The
Local Government Association has begun to fine its staff for
using words or phrases on its banned list.
Richard Stokoe, who is head of news at the Local Government
Association, e-mailed Computer Weekly after we asked people to let
us know if their organisations are following the example of
Original Software, which is fining staff for using clichés and
jargon, either verbally or in writing.
Original Software is collecting the fines for charity, as is the
Local Government Association.
Stokoe said, "If anyone on the team uses any of the 200 words
then they are fined between 20 pence and a pound - depending on the
infringement. All money goes to Medicin Sans Frontier."
The Association and Original Software are urging other companies
to fine their staff for offences against plain English.
But some in the IT industry have e-mailed Computer Weekly to
oppose the association's list because they say that many of the
terms are necessary and allow a lot of meaning to be conveyed in
one or two words.
The association's list includes "best practice", "cascading",
"challenge", "dialogue", "customer", "holistic", "engagement",
"leverage", "partnerships", "procure", "step change", and
"vision".
Original Software's banned list includes " high altitude view",
"blue-sky thinking", "brain dump", "touch base", "drop the ball"
and "going forward". Staff most regularly pay fines for the use of
"did we ?" when they meant "did you ?".
Computer Weekly is keeping a list of business and IT industry
jargon and clichés that should be avoided or at least used in a
thoughtful way. Anyone with more words and phrases they believe
should be "taxed" for charity should email:
rebecca.froley@rbi.co.uk.
A list of banned words and phrases is on the IT Projects Blog
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