A steering committee refers to a group of people responsible for directing or guiding an organization's strategy. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈstɪərɪŋ kəˈmɪti/. The first part "steering" is pronounced as /ˈstɪərɪŋ/ with the stress on the first syllable. The second part "committee" is pronounced as /kəˈmɪti/ with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word reflects its origin from the verb "steer", meaning to guide or direct, and the noun "committee", meaning a group of individuals appointed for a specific purpose.
A steering committee is a group of individuals who are responsible for providing guidance, direction, and oversight towards the achievement of a specific goal or project. It is composed of key stakeholders, leaders, and decision-makers who have the authority to make important decisions and influence the direction of the initiative.
The primary purpose of a steering committee is to ensure effective planning, coordination, and execution of the project or goal at hand. They provide strategic direction, establish priorities, and make high-level decisions to ensure that the objectives are met. The committee members bring together their diverse expertise, perspectives, and knowledge to collectively make informed decisions about the project’s progress and changes.
In addition, the steering committee serves as a mechanism for communication among different stakeholders and acts as a bridge between the project team and the rest of the organization. They communicate the project’s goals, progress, and issues to the wider group, fostering transparency and alignment among the involved parties.
Steering committees typically have regular meetings where they discuss progress, review and prioritize action items, allocate resources, and address any challenges or roadblocks. The committee's decisions often have a significant impact on the project's success, as they provide the strategic guidance and oversight necessary to ensure the initiative aligns with the organization's overall objectives.
Overall, a steering committee plays a critical role in providing leadership, decision-making, and coordination for a specific project, ensuring its successful completion while maintaining alignment with the organization's goals and vision.
The word "steering committee" is a compound noun that combines the words "steering" and "committee".
The word "steering" is derived from the Old English word "styrian" which means "to guide, direct, or govern". Over time, it evolved into "steren" in Middle English, and eventually became "steer" in Modern English. The term "steering" is often used in the context of navigation, referring to the action of controlling the direction of a vehicle or vessel.
The word "committee" comes from the Latin word "comitatus" which means "companion" or "associate". It developed in English to refer to a group of individuals appointed or elected for a specific purpose. The term "committee" implies a collective decision-making body that is responsible for specific tasks or objectives.