Heads-up

A 'heads-up' is a warning, piece of advice, or advance notice given to someone to prepare them for something that is about to happen or that they should be aware of. It can also refer to a quick reminder or an alert meant to keep someone informed and ready. The term emphasizes proactive awareness and is often used in situations requiring prompt action or strategic thinking. The information provided in a heads-up can range from trivial to critical, but its purpose remains the same: to prepare the recipient. Heads-ups are frequently informal, delivered verbally or through quick written communications, and are vital for effective communication, risk management, and coordination within teams and groups, contributing to a smoother workflow and better outcomes.

Heads-up meaning with examples

• Before we start the meeting, just a heads-up: the project lead is unexpectedly out, so we'll be discussing alternative strategies. Be prepared to offer input and suggestions. This will influence our focus for the first 30 minutes. The team needs to rally to assess and reassess priorities, due to the significant shift. The main topic has been adjusted to focus on how to approach the work going forward.
• I gave my colleague a heads-up about the client's likely reaction to the revised proposal, emphasizing potential concerns to be addressed. This way, the team can be prepared to offer reassurance and address any issues. It could prevent miscommunications and allow for a better experience. This type of communication is common and aids in our project and team dynamic.
• As a heads-up, the software update will go live tomorrow morning, so you'll need to restart your devices after. Please save your work and back up essential documents. The update aims to improve performance and address a security vulnerability, and therefore it is necessary for users to keep the systems updated.
• The weather forecast gave us a heads-up about the coming storm, allowing us to reschedule our outdoor event to a safer day. This helped to protect the attendees and staff, and also preserve our equipment from the incoming weather. The heads-up was valuable in making an educated decision.
• My supervisor gave me a heads-up that a key stakeholder would be visiting the office, and encouraged me to have all documents prepared. The goal was to improve and streamline communication, and increase preparation levels. The information provided allowed for a great impression to be made.