What Does Shovel Ready Mean?

If you’re just starting your career, you’ve probably heard the term “shovel ready” come up in conversations at the office or at job interviews. But what exactly does this phrase mean?

Simply put, “shovel ready” describes a project that is all set to go and requires minimal preparation. It is a term used by government agencies and businesses to describe a project that is ready to begin without the need to undergo additional planning or research.

For example, imagine you are the mayor of a city and you need to start construction of a new bridge. However, the bridge requires many permits and approvals, as well as other prep work such as clearing the area and making sure the construction materials are in place. If the bridge is “shovel ready,” all those preparations have already been completed, and all you need to do is give the go-ahead to begin construction.

The term “shovel ready” is often used in the context of economic development. When a government agency or business has funding available, they will often look for projects that are already prepared to begin. This helps the project get off the ground quickly, as there is no need to undergo further research or planning.

Of course, being “shovel ready” is not only important for government projects. Businesses need to ensure that they have projects that are ready to launch without delay. This could mean anything from developing an online marketing plan to launching a new product.

To be “shovel ready,” projects must have full documentation, clear objectives, and all the necessary resources lined up and ready.

Understanding the term “shovel ready” can help you identify which projects you should focus on for your career. It is important to make sure that your plans are well thought-out and that you have all the necessary resources in place before taking on a new opportunity. Doing so will help ensure that you can move forward quickly and get your projects off the ground.