The term 'overcalculated' describes a situation where something, such as a plan, decision, or estimate, has been excessively or inaccurately assessed, leading to a flawed outcome. It implies a misjudgment often stemming from an undue focus on numerical data or overly optimistic projections, resulting in errors of scale or execution. This can involve a misreading of risks, underestimation of resources needed, or an overestimation of potential gains. The consequence is often a failure to achieve the desired results, wasting resources, or unintended negative consequences, highlighting a lapse in practical judgment and foresight. It suggests a disconnect between theoretical analysis and real-world application.
Overcalculated meaning with examples
- The project's budget was overcalculated, resulting in inflated costs and ultimately preventing the team from completing the work. The initial analysis assumed overly optimistic sales figures and discounted the possibility of unforeseen expenses, which led to financial strain and delays. The overcalculated expenses were a significant blow to the overall project goals.
- The politician's campaign strategy was overcalculated, focusing solely on data-driven demographics and neglecting genuine emotional connection with voters. His team used exhaustive market research to optimize messaging and ignored the subtle, less quantifiable aspects of human sentiment. This overcalculated approach made the campaign feel artificial and ultimately cost him support.
- The risk assessment of the hurricane's impact on the coastal town was overcalculated, assuming more damage than what actually occurred. Emergency responses were prepared for the worst-case scenario, which meant that the actual damage was overestimated. Consequently, resources were potentially misdirected, and some efforts may have seemed unnecessary.
- The software's performance was overcalculated based on laboratory tests under ideal conditions, which greatly exceeded the performance under practical use. The developers ignored the nuances of real-world network traffic and user behavior. It lead to poor user experience and a product that struggled to meet requirements and expectations.