Shortcutting

Shortcutting refers to the act of taking a quicker, often less direct or conventional, route or method to achieve a desired outcome. This can involve bypassing established processes, regulations, or steps to save time, effort, or resources. While potentially efficient, shortcutting can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, risks, or compromises in quality or accuracy. It often implies a deliberate choice to prioritize speed or simplicity over thoroughness or adherence to established norms. The motivation behind shortcutting can range from pure expediency to a desire to circumvent obstacles or overcome limitations.

Shortcutting meaning with examples

• The project manager, under intense pressure to meet the deadline, decided to risk shortcutting some of the testing procedures. This allowed them to deliver the software on time, but subsequently, several bugs were discovered. In the end, the team needed to spend extra time fixing the errors created by their shortcutting strategy.
• Rather than following the lengthy bureaucratic process for permit approval, the contractor resorted to shortcutting by offering a small 'expediting' fee. This facilitated faster processing but raised ethical questions about fair practice and the potential for corruption, causing serious legal issues for the contractor.
• In an effort to reach the summit before nightfall, the hikers considered shortcutting by going off-trail. This saved them a significant amount of distance, but exposed them to uneven terrain and possible dangers like slipping and getting lost within the dense forest along their path.
• Faced with a dwindling budget, the company decided to explore shortcutting some of their marketing campaigns. They opted for cheaper online ads that produced quick, instant results while sacrificing long-term brand-building investments, which damaged brand image in the long run.