Say it like this
- Let me do a quick level-setting before we start.
- We need some level-setting on the project scope here.
- I think a level-setting would be helpful for the new team members.
Use it at work
Starting a meeting
- Let's do some level-setting before we dive in.
- Quick level-setting: here's where the project is today.
Aligning
- I want to level-set on what done means.
- Let's level-set expectations with the client.
Explaining
- After some level-setting, everyone agreed on the scope.
- The level-setting took ten minutes, but it saved an hour.
Don't say this
Level-setting is a noun that requires 'do' or 'have' as the verb, not used directly as a verb itself in standard usage.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager wants to ensure everyone understands the new security requirements. What does she most likely say?
2. Before we jump into the technical details, let me do a quick _______ on the business context.
3. Which sentence uses 'level-setting' incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using 'level-setting': 'We need to make sure everyone knows why we are changing the authentication system and what the plan is.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let me do a quick level-setting before we start."
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More about level-setting
Real examples(3)
- in a project kickoff meeting
"Before we discuss implementation details, I want to do some level-setting on the business requirements and timeline."
- in a cross-functional standup
"Since we have people from design, backend, and frontend here, let me provide some level-setting on the current database constraints."
- in an onboarding session
"I realized we skipped the level-setting about our deployment process, so let me walk the new engineer through how we currently handle releases."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse with 'leveling' (making something flat). Level-setting is about establishing shared understanding, not physical adjustment.
- ✕Let me level-setting everyone on the new API.✓Let me do level-setting on the new API with everyone.
The grammatical structure should include 'do' and 'on' to be natural and correct.
- ✕We spent too much time on level-setting instead of working.✓We spent too much time on level-setting when we could have started coding.
While the first is not technically wrong, the second is more natural and commonly used in tech workplaces.
Other forms(2)
- level-setting noun
"The meeting started with level-setting about project goals."
- level-setting adjective
"We had a level-setting conversation before the code review."
Often used with(4)
- do level-setting · Most common verb phrase; 'Let me do a quick level-setting.'
- quick level-setting · Indicates a brief alignment session; 'We need a quick level-setting here.'
- level-setting on · Used with preposition 'on' to specify the topic; 'level-setting on the requirements.'
- level-setting meeting · A meeting whose primary purpose is alignment; 'We scheduled a level-setting meeting.'
Similar words(4)
- alignment · More formal; focuses on getting on the same page, but less specific about the communication process.
- getting on the same page · More casual idiom; means the same thing but is less professional in formal settings.
- context setting · Emphasizes providing background information specifically; narrower in scope than level-setting.
- synchronization · More technical term; often used for syncing schedules or information, but less commonly used for meetings.
Opposites(3)
- miscommunication
- misalignment
- confusion
Questions(5)
- What does level-setting mean in software engineering?
- Level-setting in software engineering refers to the process of ensuring all team members or meeting participants have the same understanding of goals, technical constraints, project scope, and context before proceeding with detailed discussions or work. It is a communication practice that prevents misalignment and saves time later.
- How long should a level-setting take?
- A level-setting can range from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the complexity of the topic and the diversity of the audience. A 'quick level-setting' typically means 5-10 minutes, while more complex topics like system architecture changes might require 20-30 minutes.
- Is level-setting formal or informal?
- Level-setting is neutral in formality. It is used in both casual team conversations and formal meetings. However, it is slightly more common in professional and structured workplace settings rather than in very casual conversations.
- Who should do the level-setting?
- Typically, the person who called the meeting or the team lead/project lead does the level-setting. However, anyone with relevant knowledge or context can propose doing level-setting if they notice misalignment or confusion.
- What is the difference between level-setting and alignment?
- Level-setting and alignment are closely related but slightly different. Level-setting is the active process of explaining and establishing shared understanding, while alignment is the end result of that process. You do level-setting to achieve alignment.
