the final say: We're being acronymed and jargoned to death

摘要

I realize the importance of acronyms and jargon. Both are shortcuts used to increase the efficiency of communications among experts. I am perfectly happy having the doctors and nurses in an emergency room using all the acronyms and jargon they want while they are patching me together. I really do not need to understand what they are saying, and it is in my best interest that they communicate as quickly and clearly as possible. Within the automation industry, we certainly have our own fair share of acronyms and jargon. However, business communications are meant to clarify, not obfuscate, so we should be careful about their use. Most acronyms consist of three letters (e.g., PHA - Process Hazards Analysis). These are often jokingly referred to as TLAs - Three Letter Acronyms. Some acronyms are based on four letters (e.g., BPCS - Basic Process Control System). You might think these would be FLAs - Four Letter Acronyms - but you would be wrong. They're simply ETLAs - Extended Three Letter Acronyms. Some are based on five letters (e.g., HAZOP - HAZard and OPerability). Most five letter acronyms are based on a very selective choice of letters to make them roll off the tongue more easily. These are not FLAs either - Five Letter Acronyms. They are EETLAs - Enhanced Extended Three Letter Acronyms.