In plain English
It is something in the way that stops people moving forward on a piece of work. Progress cannot continue on that task, activity, or project until the issue is removed or resolved.
In context
In a handoff thread, blocker names the problem or obstacle that is preventing the work from progressing.
- Situation
- Collaborating remotely through projects, tasks, meetings, handoffs, and approvals
- What it communicates
- names the issue stopping progress in a handoff thread
Meaning limits
The term by itself does not say how serious the problem is or who will resolve it.
Examples
“The missing approval was a blocker for the report, and the team could not continue until it arrived.”
“She logged the missing figures as a blocker in the handoff thread after the draft stalled.”