sensitivieren

English translation: conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:sensitivieren
English translation:conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis
Entered by: Roger Matthews

19:33 Aug 29, 2019
German to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Finance (general) / legal documents
German term or phrase: sensitivieren
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
Roger Matthews
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:49
conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis
Explanation:
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.
Selected response from:

Björn Vrooman
Local time: 13:49
Grading comment
Thanks for your help and extensive references Björn!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2raise awareness for
Michael Martin, MA
5socialize
Cillie Swart
3 +1conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis
Björn Vrooman
3advocacy/advancement/reinforcement
Ramey Rieger (X)


Discussion entries: 18





  

Answers


10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
advocacy/advancement/reinforcement


Explanation:
Perhaps this suits your context: plausibility and advocacy assessment

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 13:49
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 43
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The asker has declined this answer

13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
socialize


Explanation:
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.


    https://www.linguee.com/english-german/search?source=auto&query=sensitivieren
Cillie Swart
South Africa
Local time: 14:49
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
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
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6 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
conduct/perform/set up a sensitivity analysis


Explanation:
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.

Björn Vrooman
Local time: 13:49
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thanks for your help and extensive references Björn!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ramey Rieger (X): Whiz kid!
1 hr
  -> Thanks and enjoy your weekend!
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13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
raise awareness for


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

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






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

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

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 08:49
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 147
Notes to answerer
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 comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
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.
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