CAE key terms

The defined right to make or implement decisions within assigned boundaries, paired with accountability and the reporting needed by the delegating body.

A process grouping routine prepared items for efficient action while preserving the agreed ability to remove an item for separate consideration.

A situation in which another interest may affect or appear to affect impartial judgement on behalf of the organization being served.

A working climate where people can raise good-faith concerns and questions without automatic interpersonal punishment, while responsibilities and performance expectations remain meaningful.

The defined roles for recommending, approving, executing and resolving a decision, helping align authority with responsibility and organizational purpose.

A continuity arrangement for essential leadership authority and access during an unexpected absence, distinct from the longer-term permanent recruitment process.

A meaningful change or benefit resulting from activity, distinguished from the immediate products, counts or services delivered as outputs.

The value of the best alternative forgone when limited resources are committed to a choice rather than to that alternative.

An estimate linked to underlying assumptions such as price, participation and retention, allowing the effects of changed conditions to be examined.

A liability for cash received before the related revenue is recognized under the stated accounting policy and service or performance conditions.

The separation or independent review of incompatible transaction responsibilities to reduce the risk that one person can create and conceal an error.

The intended maximum time for restoring a specified service after disruption, which differs from the amount of recent data loss tolerated.

A defined intended learner capability or result that guides the design of educational activity and the evidence used to evaluate it.

Revenue less variable costs, representing the amount available toward fixed costs and surplus under the assumptions of the calculation.

The support for interpreting an assessment or credential claim for its stated purpose, requiring appropriate evidence rather than popularity or revenue alone.

The defined group eligible to renew during a measurement period, used as the appropriate base for the stated renewal calculation.

The sequence of experiences and interactions across the membership relationship, used to identify needs, barriers and handoffs rather than only internal departments.

The relevant benefit promised to a defined audience, which should be tested through actual experience rather than promotional repetition alone.

An authorized organizational view on a public issue, developed and communicated through the association’s legitimate process rather than an individual’s preference.

A cooperative arrangement among organizations for a defined purpose, requiring clear responsibilities, decision rules and limits rather than assumed agreement on everything.

A submission to a rulemaking or similar public process that addresses the specific proposal and requirements through the organization’s authorized response procedure.

The proportion completing a defined action from the stated starting group, whose numerator and denominator must match the specific funnel being measured.

A method of assigning contribution to interactions associated with an outcome, interpreted with its assumptions rather than treated as proof of sole causation.

The articulation of whom an offering serves, its relevant distinctive value and its relationship to alternatives in the audience’s decision context.