Choose What By When Over ASAP

Everyone uses the phrase “as soon as possible”. It even has its own acronym that everyone recognizes and uses: ASAP. One would think it’s a national standard that may actually mean something.

Unfortunately, it means very little and is counterproductive as undoubtedly each person on either side of the communication using this “standard” will have a different interpretation of what “as soon as possible” may actually mean to them. Worse yet, the time frame can change without notice, so what’s the point?

Despite this reality, it is used all the time and yet, it means nothing.

Simply stated, everyone asking for action “ASAP” may be expressing a desire for rapid turnaround but “as soon as possible” has no specific time agreement thus the recipient of this instruction can interpret this anyway he chooses and “as soon as possible” may be months later within his list of priorities.

Try this out instead: “what by when”. This should be the mantra for any delivery or commitment, never “ASAP” as this is not a commitment. It is unmeasurable, open-ended, uncertain, unclear. “What by when” requires a specific commitment, exact information and can be relied upon. It is an important issue that must be resolved in any business situation. It is the basic terms of any deal, requiring both parties to either agree or at least understand exactly what is expected and committed.

There is no room for opinions when using “what by when” standards, no back door to release one from the promise, no self-evaluation and determination as to when “as soon as possible” may actually be and therefore “what by when” is the only standard that should ever be used.

“What by when”…use it. “As soon as possible”…lose it.