Operational for Dummies

Operational is a word that we often use to describe how something works or functions. It's like the engine of a car that makes it go vroom vroom! When we say something is operational, it means that it is up and running, doing what it's supposed to do.

Let's imagine you have a toy robot that has different buttons. When you press the buttons and the robot starts moving, we can say that the robot is operational. It means that all the parts are working together and the robot is doing what it's designed to do - walk, talk, spin, and maybe even tell jokes! So, when we talk about something being operational, we are saying that it is in a working condition, ready to be used or perform its intended purpose.

But operational can also have another meaning. Imagine you are playing a game with your friends, and you want to strategize how to win. One friend might say, "I'll distract the other team while you go for the goal." That friend is talking about the operational plan or the operational strategy. It means they have a plan in mind to achieve a specific goal, just like a game plan in sports. So, when we talk about operational in this sense, we mean that there is a plan or a strategy to accomplish something.

In summary, "operational" means that something is functioning or working correctly, doing what it's designed to do. It can also refer to a plan or strategy in place to achieve a particular goal. So, if your toy robot is moving around or if you have a game plan to win, then you can say that things are operational! Keep in mind that this word can be used in different contexts, but the overall idea is that it describes something that is up and running smoothly.