What does optimisation mean?
Optimisation means the careful process of making a system, process, or result work as effectively as possible. It is used especially in business, technology, engineering, and operations, where changing a procedure, resource, or design can improve speed, quality, cost, or usefulness. The word often suggests an ongoing effort based on measurement and adjustment rather than a single change. For example, the optimisation of a website may involve improving its layout, code, and content so that pages load quickly and visitors can find what they need. In everyday conversation, optimisation is associated with efficiency and careful attention to detail. It is a useful term because it describes the pursuit of a better result while retaining a clear purpose or standard of performance. The related adjective “optimised” describes something that has been improved in this way.
nounThe process of making something as effective, efficient, or valuable as possible by adjusting methods, systems, or conditions. It can also refer to the result of such a process.
- The process of making something more effective, efficient, or suitable by making careful adjustments.
- The state of being optimized, or the best possible result achieved through adjustment.
"The team introduced several small changes to improve the optimisation of the production process."
"The optimisation of the website made pages load more quickly for visitors."
"The new schedule was developed through the optimisation of staffing levels and working hours."
The plural is used when referring to separate optimization processes or programmes.
"The engineers compared different optimisations of the manufacturing line."
Optimisation is the art of improving a system without losing sight of what it is meant to do.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of optimisation
The word comes through French and Latin from the Latin “optimus,” meaning “best.” Its central ideas are reflected in “optimum,” “optimistic,” and “optimise” or “optimize.” The British spelling “optimisation” developed alongside the American variant “optimization,” with the difference reflecting the usual conventions of -ise and -ize spelling.
Related word forms
How optimisation is actually used
The term is most common in business, technology, engineering, and planning contexts. It usually implies systematic improvement rather than a single minor change. “Optimization” is the usual American spelling.
Easily confused with optimisation
“Optimisation” is the standard British spelling, while “optimization” is the standard American spelling of the same word.