This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
Stihlerkessel
Zugstärke

Glossary entry

German term or phrase:

sensitivieren

English translation:

conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis

Added to glossary by Roger Matthews
Aug 29, 2019 19:33
4 yrs ago
5 viewers *
German term

sensitivieren

German to English Bus/Financial Finance (general) legal documents
This is a document related to a court case

Ihr Auftrag sei es hingegen nicht gewesen, ein erarbeitetes Sanierungskonzept zu plausibilisieren oder zu sensitivieren.

Die XX vertreten ferner... sie hätten vertraglich nicht die Entwicklung eines eigenen Sanierungskonzeptes geschuldet, sondern lediglich die Begutachtung (Plausibilitätsprüfung und Sensitivierung) eines von X entwickelten Konzeptes.

I realise it has been asked before, but I don't accept that it means "to sensitise" - it must mean something like "to check the plausibility and perform a sensitivity analysis" of the restructuring concept, but I haven't found any references to substantiate this.

Here is one that I have found with the same meaning, but not enough context to give a precise understanding of the use:

https://www.wkgt.com/services/business-consulting/operationa...

Unsere Leistungen geben Ihnen Sicherheit dabei,

- in der Transaktion wettbewerbsfähig zu sein,
- den Management Case zu validieren und zu sensitivieren,
- ein belastbareres Angebot abzugeben,
- umfassend informiert zu sein, und
- Synergien und Chancen aus der Transaktion anschließend umsetzen zu können.

Thanks in advance
Proposed translations (English)
3 +1 conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis
4 +2 raise awareness for
5 socialize
3 advocacy/advancement/reinforcement
Change log

Aug 29, 2019 22:47: Murad AWAD changed "Field" from "Other" to "Bus/Financial"

Discussion

Björn Vrooman Sep 5, 2019:
I have done it, finally. Thank you all for your patience. Week was a bit chaotic.

I posted with a CL of 3 because I probably could refine my explanation, but I think it's worth something.

Enjoy your evening, all of you
D. I. Verrelli Sep 5, 2019:
Perfect? They say that "the perfect is the enemy of the good".
Björn, your good ideas are well worth capturing in a formal Answer, as two others before me have already indicated. No need to wait for 'perfection'.
Björn Vrooman Sep 2, 2019:
Thanks! I'll see whether I can post something later (wasn't on here over the weekend), though I may have to "borrow" your solution, Roger, because I'm not sure there's some other way to word it.

Best wishes
Roger Matthews (asker) Aug 30, 2019:
Sensitivity analysis I seem to have deleted my previous post - confirming that I had decided on sensitivity analysis after all! So yes, you are absolutely right and I really appreciate your research.

Not only have we come up with a good, substantiated translation - with ample source references, but I have also learnt something new today!

Please post a suggestion so I can give you points!
Ramey Rieger (X) Aug 30, 2019:
Yes Björn For God's sake, if not Roger's, post a suggestion! Gott vergelt's
Ramey Rieger (X) Aug 30, 2019:
Yes Björn For God's sake, if not Roger's, post a suggestion! Gott vergelt's
Björn Vrooman Aug 30, 2019:
@Roger Got two other links for you.

See "Bereiten Sie eine Sensitivierung Ihrer Planung vor!" at https://www.wkgt.com/themen/zulieferer---unternehmensverkauf...

"Im Rahmen einer Sensitivierung der Unternehmensplanung sollten im Businessplan maximal drei Szenarien präsentiert werden: der 'Normalfall', der 'günstigste Fall' und der 'ungünstige Fall'."
https://www.cerc.co.uk/environmental-research/assets/data/CE...

There's worst case and "real case," i.e. base case, worst case and best case in scenario planning:
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/mo...

Considering the rest of your document, I'm not entirely sure whether it's scenario or sensitivity analysis (still have to work). The differences are described here (I think you've already posted that link but removed it): https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/mo...

Cf https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitivitätsanalyse

Plus validation: https://www.cerc.co.uk/environmental-research/assets/data/CE...
Björn Vrooman Aug 30, 2019:
"...nicht darauf berufen können, dass allein schon durch ihre Sensitivierung gegenüber dem Management Case ein weiterer Liquiditätspuffer sichergestellt gewesen sei. [...] dass diese Sensitivierung keine Darstellung eines unwahrscheinlichen 'worst case' beinhaltet, sondern die Wahrscheinlichkeit des 'real case' plausibel bestimmen soll."

Do you see what I mean? This sounds like they were refining the original idea and did not come up with their own. Of course, I can't guarantee my interpretation is correct =(

That's why I really don't like making an educated guess based on context.

Update: I found something.

Reading this should help:
http://jodano.de/corporate-finance/sensitivierung/

I wasn't that far off:
"Während das Prämissenset also nichts anderes ist als die Zusammenstellung der von Ihnen getätigten Annahmen, ist die Sensitivierung der Entwurf alternativer Planungsszenarien zu dem von Ihnen bereits entwickelten Hauptszenario."

So you create additional scenarios. And yes, that's basically what your link says. It's not raise awareness (or promote); that'd be something completely different.

Best wishes
Roger Matthews (asker) Aug 30, 2019:
By Jove I think you've got it! Let's hope it's not confirmation bias on my part, but this is convincing enough for me. Really appreciate your input on this. Let me give you points!!
Björn Vrooman Aug 30, 2019:
Hello Roger The PDF by the Schuh Group is a business management document.

Another example:
"Ausarbeitung und erste Validierung eines Monitoring Protokolls zur Erfassung qualitativer Bewertungskriterien für lichttechnische sanierte Case Studies"
https://nachhaltigwirtschaften.at/de/iea/publikationen/iea-s...

RE Sanierung:
"Betriebswirtschaftliche Ausarbeitung von Insolvenz- und 'Pre-Packaged' -Plänen [map out]
Betriebswirtschaftliche Prüfung und Validierung von vorgelegten Insolvenzplänen für die Insolvenzverwaltung"
https://turnaround.de/leistungen/insolvenznahe-beratung/

That's more like mapping out a plan (as said below)
I can only suggest that you attach a translator's note, if possible.

I'm specifically referring to this paragraph in your text:
[...]
Roger Matthews (asker) Aug 30, 2019:
substantiate is my other option at the moment... based on an amalgamation of everyone's input - for which I am extremely grateful!
Roger Matthews (asker) Aug 30, 2019:
Ausarbeitung would make sense in the context, but I don't think I can justify making that leap without a reliable source
Roger Matthews (asker) Aug 30, 2019:
Björn Thank you for your efforts. It's really not clear, is it? At least not something I've come across before.
Thanks also for your link - so, in a pedagogical context, it means something like "reinforce through subliminal stimulation"

I'm tending towards "promote" - which ties in with "raising awareness" (as they must be connected in some way!)
Björn Vrooman Aug 30, 2019:
PS2 Last one, but it just occurred to me, with regard to "map out" (see post below), that "Plausibilitätsprüfung und Sensitivierung" actually means "Plausibilitätsprüfung und Ausarbeitung ." Makes sense, IMO.

There's a document you can find online (I can't link to it because it's a downloadable PDF) that says (according to Google's preview): "...erscheint auf dem Energieausweis, der Rest wird für die Berechnung,. [sic] Plausibilitätsprüfung und Ausarbeitung von Modernisierungsempfehlungen benötigt..."

It really does make sense, I believe, because instead of developing something on their own, these peope apparently used another's idea as a template, which is why it says:
"...sie hätten vertraglich nicht die Entwicklung eines eigenen Sanierungskonzeptes geschuldet, sondern lediglich die Begutachtung..."

Best
Björn Vrooman Aug 30, 2019:
PS See also p. 15, item 1: https://schuh-group.com/site/assets/files/1558/cm-journal_1-...

Sounds a bit like identify, prioritize, validate to me:
https://infocus.dellemc.com/william_schmarzo/iot-challenge-1...

Or to "map out." Difficult to grasp, I agree.

Best
Björn Vrooman Aug 30, 2019:
Raise awareness? Were you just kidding and this is actually about cancer screening? Or about not letting your kids be fooled by clowns driving creepy vans?

No, seriously, this is hardly the right way to say it. I found your document (this word shows up in very few!) and sensitivieren could be more like präsentieren. I think this might help: https://www.spektrum.de/lexikon/biologie/sensitivierung/6105...

See the synonyms? It's more like popularize, However, at the end of your document, it says (if I may quote): "An der Sanierungsfähigkeit...angesichts des im Sensitive Case errechneten aktuellen Liquiditätspuffers...festzuhalten..."

I haven't figured out what that means, but it surely doesn't look like präsentieren or similar is correct.

Best
Roger Matthews (asker) Aug 30, 2019:
Hi Ramey Thank you. Yes, I am hesitating to go all out with "raise awareness" because it doesn't seem to fit the "Begutachtung (Plausibilitätsprüfung und Sensitivierung)" context ideally. This is more like it.
Ramey Rieger (X) Aug 29, 2019:
Hi Roger perhaps something more along the lines of 'provide arguments for' or'convince of the necessity for.'

Proposed translations

+1
6 days
Selected

conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis

This is one of those times where proper context matters—and where you shouldn’t start guessing what it means. Some real-life examples can be found in the discussion box. You are right that it would be prudent here to stay close to the actual meaning and not try to replace the term of art with what some might assume to be a synonym.

In a financial context, sensitivieren or performing a sensitivity analysis...
"...determines how different values of an independent variable affect a particular dependent variable under a given set of assumptions."
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sensitivityanalysis.asp

And further:
"This model is also referred to as a what-if or simulation analysis."
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sensitivityanalysis.asp

There is a similar method called scenario analysis. The differences are explained in the d-box and at the Investopedia link posted above. I think it’s important to know them because not only are these analyses related in some way, but you may see people write sensitivieren when they use three specific scenarios called base case, worst case and best case, e.g.: https://ppp-certification.com/ppp-certification-guide/69-bas...

Those cases are also known as "sensitivities," which is where you can see the relation. A base case could likewise be called “most likely case" and, at least in German (odd, I know, but basically all links about it are non-ENS!), "real case," e.g.: https://www.iww.de/bbp/unternehmensberatung/szenarioanalyse-...

Here’s another example of sensitivieren/sensitivity in combination with cash flow:
"Modellieren und Sensitivieren von Bilanz-, GuV- und Cashflow-Planungen"
https://de.linkedin.com/in/viktor-holstein-m-a-a1387584

ENS example:
https://www.regions.com/Insights/Commercial/Finance/Bridging...

The, say, recurring theme is that instead of sensitivieren, you use a longer description in English (set up/perform/conduct a sensitivity analysis) and like in German, a sensitivity analysis may be about scenarios (three to be exact; see above). The latter may have something to do with the fact that you can find pages listing different "types of sensitivity analysis" online:
https://cals.arizona.edu/classes/rnr485/ch10.htm

Hope this helps.
Peer comment(s):
agree Ramey Rieger (X) : Whiz kid!
1 hr
Thanks and enjoy your weekend!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for your help and extensive references Björn!"
10 hrs

advocacy/advancement/reinforcement

Declined
Perhaps this suits your context: plausibility and advocacy assessment
Something went wrong...
13 hrs

socialize

Declined
socialize is the best term to use here. It is often used in this context in organisations. The meaning is similar to "raising awareness" but in a more subtle way for lack of a better word.
Reference:

https://www.linguee.com/english-german/search?source=auto&query=sensitivieren

Peer comment(s):
neutral David Moore (X) : Cilian, you must be a little more careful when quoting linguee as a reference. It gives some good ideas, certainly, but not this one! I#d also avoid the use of CL5 IIWY, as you'll see few others use it.
1 hr
Something went wrong...
+2
13 mins

raise awareness for

Declined
make a case and raise awareness for the redevelopment concept/strategy devised

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 hrs (2019-08-30 14:37:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I've changed my mind on this. I agree with Björn at least to the extent that this appears to have little to do with "sensitivieren" in the traditional sense. The fact that we don't have a 'jemanden für etwas sensitivieren"' construction should have been a red flag for me.
Here's a source that offers some sort of definition that seems to fit our context:
"Wenn Sie zu diesem (aus Ihrer Sicht) realistischen Szenario weitere Szenarien mit abweichenden Annahmen treffen, haben Sie Ihre Unternehmensplanung schon sensitiviert."

Apparently, integrating 'Abweichende Annahmen' into (business) plans means 'playing devil's advocate' and taking worse-and worst-case scenarios into account:

In other words, they have to fine-tune or refine their (business) plans based on more negative scenarios. A couple of sources in a similar vein:

"Let’s examine some of the critical questions that could help you fine-tune your business plan going forward." https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strate...
"Be self-critical and play devil’s advocate – you need more than a great idea, you need a cash flow model. You also need to plan for what your business may yet become. Be sure to address your weaknesses and identify new opportunities as you go, and revisit your business plan every three to six months." https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/04/five-simple-rules-for-...

Possible new solution (fine-tune/refine) in this case:
= shore up the redevelopment concept/strategy devised (protect against pitfalls/bullet-proof)

"Economic headwinds got you looking to the horizon? In this article, Jamie Davison of Carbon Group suggests ways you can shore up your business for any eventuality." https://www.myob.com/nz/blog/bullet-proof-business-economic-...






--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 8 hrs (2019-09-01 03:35:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here's another thing.
"Raising awareness for" only works if it translates "für etwas sensibilisieren", not "für etwas sensitivieren". But that's not what we have here. I clearly confused the two verbs. As my old Latin teacher used to say: "Da haben Sie Gustav mit Gasthof verwechselt..."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 days (2019-09-05 18:15:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Okay, I have no idea how any of the other solutions would fit in there, but here's how I would take a stab at that whole sentence:

Ihr Auftrag sei es hingegen nicht gewesen, ein erarbeitetes Sanierungskonzept zu plausibilisieren oder zu sensitivieren = They contended that, contrary to expectation, they didn't consider it their job to demonstrate the validity of or bulletproof an already existing redevelopment concept
Note from asker:
Thanks Michael - that really helps as I was trying to overcomplicate it. And the others (names I recognise and trust from here) agree with you.
Peer comment(s):
agree AllegroTrans : raise awareness of
5 hrs
Thanks, but I changed my mind on this.
agree David Hollywood : I like raise awareness
6 hrs
I liked it, too, but that's not what it means
neutral D. I. Verrelli : I am not keen on "raise awareness for/or", but the idea of analysing (and hence validating, or perhaps tailoring) the solution by performing a sensitivity analysis sounds plausible in the light of the extended discussion.
6 days
I am also no longer keen on "raise awareness for" but  not keen on "perform a sensitivity analysis" either which sounds like an explanation, not a translation.
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search