Using testing evidence to assess a risky timeline | Learn Dutch in English

Dutch lesson set in a contemporary Amsterdam everyday setting: During a remote project meeting, two coworkers discuss a risky timeline and plan to use testing evidence before making a decision..

EN → NL / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Using testing evidence to assess a risky timeline to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

De voorgestelde planning lijkt ambitieus, gezien de onopgeloste problemen met het testen.

duh VOHR-guh-STEL-duh PLAH-ning like ahm-bee-see-OOS, guh-ZEEN duh on-OP-guh-LOHS-tuh proh-BLAY-mun met ut TES-tun. The proposed timeline feels ambitious, given the unresolved testing issues.
B

Ik deel die zorg, hoewel de leiding vóór de evaluatie vaart wil maken.

ik dayl dee zork, hoo-WAYL duh LAY-ding vohr duh ay-vah-LOO-tsee vaart vil MAH-kun. I share that concern, though leadership wants momentum before the review.
A

De voortgang zal eronder lijden als we iets instabiels uitbrengen.

duh VOHRT-gahng zal air-ON-der LAY-dun als wuh eets in-stah-BEELS OWT-brehng-un. Momentum will suffer if we release something unstable.
B

Ik begrijp het, maar uitstel zonder bewijs kan onze zaak verzwakken.

ik buh-GRYPE ut, mahr OWT-stel ZON-der buh-VAYS kan ON-zuh zahk fer-ZVAH-kun. I understand, yet delaying without evidence may weaken our case.
A

We kunnen bewijs verzamelen door de tests met het grootste risico prioriteit te geven.

wuh KUN-un buh-VAYS fer-ZAH-muh-lun dohr duh tests met ut GROOT-stuh RISS-ee-koh pree-oh-ree-TATE tuh HAY-vun. We can gather evidence by prioritizing the riskiest tests.
B

Dat zou de discussie objectiever en minder defensief maken.

daht zow duh dis-KUH-see op-yek-TEE-ver un MIN-der DAY-fun-SEEF MAH-kun. That would make the discussion more objective and less defensive.
A

Een risicosamenvatting op basis van de huidige resultaten zou daarbij helpen.

ayn RISS-ee-koh-sah-mun-VAH-ting op BAH-sis vahn duh HOW-dikh-uh ray-zool-TAH-tun zow dah-RY-bye HELP-un. A risk summary based on current results would support that.
B

Ik kan die samenvatting meenemen naar de vergadering.

ik kan dee SAH-mun-VAH-ting MAY-nay-mun nahr duh fer-GAH-der-ing. I can bring that summary to the meeting.
B

Zo kunnen we een praktische beslissing nemen.

zoh KUN-un wuh ayn PRAHK-tee-suh buh-SLISS-ing NAY-mun. So we can make a practical decision.

Word by Word

De "De" is the definite article in "De voorgestelde planning" and "de onopgeloste problemen". It identifies a specific schedule or specific problems in this project discussion. Reuse it before a specific noun.
voorgestelde "Voorgestelde" means proposed or put forward in "De voorgestelde planning". It describes a plan that has already been presented for consideration. Use it before the noun it describes when discussing an option or plan.
planning "Planning" means the schedule or timeline being discussed. Here it is the proposed schedule for the project. Use it when talking about project timing, deadlines, or planned work.
lijkt "Lijkt" means seems or appears in "De voorgestelde planning lijkt ambitieus". It presents an assessment rather than an absolute statement. A useful pattern is lijkt + adjective when giving an initial judgment in a meeting.
ambitieus "Ambitieus" means ambitious in this assessment of the timeline. It describes a plan that aims high and may be difficult to achieve with the current issues. Use it when evaluating a demanding goal, schedule, or proposal.
gezien "Gezien" means given or considering in "gezien de onopgeloste problemen met het testen". It introduces information that explains or qualifies the judgment about the planning. A common pattern is gezien + a situation when giving context for an assessment.
onopgeloste "Onopgeloste" means unresolved in "de onopgeloste problemen". It describes problems that still have no solution at the time of the discussion. Use it before problems or issues that remain open in a project.
problemen "Problemen" means problems or issues, referring here to unresolved testing issues. The plural form shows that more than one issue is involved. It commonly appears with met when specifying what the problems concern.
met "Met" means with in "problemen met het testen" and links the problems to the activity involved. It identifies what the problems concern. Reuse met before a noun or activity when describing an associated problem.
het "Het" is the definite article in "het testen". Here it makes testing a specific activity being discussed. Reuse het before a named activity when that activity is treated as a thing or topic.
testen "Testen" names the activity of testing after "het" in "het testen". It refers to checking the product or system rather than to one particular test. Use it when discussing testing as part of a project process.
Ik "Ik" means I and identifies the speaker as the person expressing the concern or understanding. It is used at the start of both "Ik deel die zorg" and "Ik begrijp het". Use it when stating your own view or response.
deel "Deel" means share in "Ik deel die zorg". It shows that the speaker has the same concern as someone else, not that the concern is being divided. A useful pattern is Ik deel + a concern or opinion.
die "Die" means that in "die zorg" and points back to a concern already mentioned. It identifies the particular concern being shared. Use die before a noun when referring to something specific from the conversation.
zorg "Zorg" means concern in this discussion about the risky timeline. "Die zorg" refers to the worry that the proposed schedule is too ambitious. It is useful with verbs such as delen when expressing agreement about a concern.
hoewel "Hoewel" means although or though and introduces a concession in "hoewel de leiding vóór de evaluatie vaart wil maken". It connects the speaker's concern with a different priority held by leadership. Use hoewel before a clause when acknowledging information that does not remove the main point.
leiding "Leiding" means leadership or management in "de leiding". It refers to the people responsible for directing the project or organization. Use it when describing a decision or preference coming from management.
vóór "Vóór" means before in time in "vóór de evaluatie". The accent marks the temporal meaning here and shows the deadline for gaining momentum. Reuse vóór before an event or time point.
evaluatie "Evaluatie" means review or evaluation. Here it is the review that will take place after the team wants to make progress. Use it for a formal assessment of a project, result, or proposal.
vaart maken "Vaart maken" is the whole expression for making progress or gaining momentum. In it, "vaart" contributes the idea of speed or forward movement, while "maken" forms the expression meaning to create that movement. New example: We moeten vaart maken met het project.
voortgang "Voortgang" means progress or momentum in "De voortgang zal eronder lijden". It refers to how the project moves forward over time. Use it when reporting whether work is advancing as planned.
zal "Zal" means will in "De voortgang zal eronder lijden". It presents the expected future consequence of releasing something unstable. A useful pattern is zal + an infinitive when describing an expected result.
eronder lijden "Eronder lijden" means suffer as a result of something previously mentioned. In "De voortgang zal eronder lijden", "eronder" refers to the effect of releasing an unstable product, and "lijden" describes the resulting harm. New example: De kwaliteit lijdt eronder.
als "Als" means if in "als we iets instabiels uitbrengen". It introduces the condition under which the progress will suffer. Use als before a conditional clause about a possible situation.
we "We" means we and refers to the coworkers or project team acting together. It is the subject in "als we iets instabiels uitbrengen" and "We kunnen bewijs verzamelen". Use it when describing a shared team action.
iets "Iets" means something and refers to an unspecified product or release. In "iets instabiels", the speaker does not identify the exact thing that might be released. Use it when the object is unknown, unimportant, or not yet specified.
instabiels "Instabiels" means unstable in "iets instabiels". The form describes the unspecified thing that might be released and appears after iets in this expression. Use it when characterizing an unspecified product or result as unstable.
uitbrengen "Uitbrengen" means release or put out, referring here to releasing a product or result. In "als we iets instabiels uitbrengen", it takes the unstable thing as its object. Use it for making a product, version, or publication available.
begrijp "Begrijp" means understand in "Ik begrijp het". It is the exact form used with Ik; its citation form is begrijpen. Use Ik begrijp + an object or statement when acknowledging someone's point.
maar "Maar" means but and introduces a contrasting point in "maar uitstel zonder bewijs kan onze zaak verzwakken". The speaker accepts the concern but adds that delaying without evidence has a possible disadvantage. Use maar to connect two opposing or balancing points.
uitstel "Uitstel" means delay or postponement. Here it refers to delaying the decision or release without supporting evidence. Use it when discussing a decision or action that happens later than planned.
zonder "Zonder" means without and introduces what is missing in "zonder bewijs". It shows that the delay occurs without evidence to support it. Reuse zonder before a noun when describing the absence of something.
bewijs "Bewijs" means evidence or proof in this discussion. It refers to information that can support the team's position about the timeline. Use it with actions such as gathering evidence or with zonder when evidence is absent.
kan "Kan" means can or may in "kan onze zaak verzwakken". It expresses a possible consequence, not permission. A useful pattern is kan + an infinitive when stating what an action may cause.
onze "Onze" means our and marks the case as belonging to the shared team or project position. In "onze zaak", it shows that the argument is jointly held. Use it before a noun when referring to something shared by the speakers.
zaak "Zaak" means case or argument in "onze zaak". Here it refers to the team's position in the discussion, not to a physical object. Use it when talking about the strength of an argument or position.
verzwakken "Verzwakken" means weaken in "kan onze zaak verzwakken". It describes reducing the strength of the team's argument. Use it after a modal such as kan when explaining how an action may affect a position or result.
kunnen "Kunnen" means can or be able to in "We kunnen bewijs verzamelen". With We, it introduces an action the team is capable of taking. A useful pattern is kunnen + an infinitive when proposing a possible team action.
verzamelen "Verzamelen" means gather or collect in "bewijs verzamelen". It describes bringing together evidence from the relevant tests. Use it with information, data, evidence, or other items that are collected for an assessment.
door "Door" means by or through in "door de tests met het grootste risico prioriteit te geven". It introduces the method used to gather evidence. A useful pattern is door + an action with te when explaining how something is achieved.
tests "Tests" means tests and refers to the checks being prioritized. In "de tests met het grootste risico", it identifies particular tests rather than testing in general. Use it when discussing separate checks of a product or system.
grootste "Grootste" means greatest or highest in "het grootste risico". It identifies the highest level of risk among the tests being considered. Use it when selecting the item with the greatest degree of a relevant quality.
risico "Risico" means risk in "het grootste risico". It refers to the possibility of a harmful or unwanted result from a test or project decision. Use it when comparing possible problems and deciding what needs attention first.
prioriteit "Prioriteit" means priority in "de tests met het grootste risico prioriteit te geven". It identifies what should receive attention first. Use it when organizing work or deciding which task should be handled before others.
te "Te" marks the infinitive in "prioriteit te geven". Together with door, it forms the method expression that explains how the team will gather evidence. Use te before an infinitive in this type of construction.
geven "Geven" means give in "prioriteit te geven". Here it contributes to the expression of giving priority to the riskiest tests. Use it when describing the act of assigning attention or importance to something.
Dat "Dat" means that and refers back to the proposed method of prioritizing the riskiest tests. In "Dat zou de discussie objectiever... maken", it makes that earlier idea the subject of the next statement. Use it to refer to a previously mentioned idea or action.
zou "Zou" means would in "Dat zou de discussie objectiever en minder defensief maken". It presents the expected or hypothetical effect of the proposed approach. A useful pattern is zou + an infinitive when describing a possible result.
discussie "Discussie" means discussion. Here it refers to the conversation in which the team will assess the timeline and evidence. Use it for a focused exchange of views about a decision or issue.
objectiever "Objectiever" means more objective in "de discussie objectiever ... maken". It describes making the discussion more based on evidence and less on personal reactions. Use it when comparing the quality or tone of a discussion before and after a change.
en "En" means and and links the two desired qualities "objectiever" and "minder defensief". It joins related parts of the proposed result. Use it to connect two actions, descriptions, or outcomes.
minder "Minder" means less in "minder defensief". It shows that the discussion should have a lower degree of defensiveness. Use minder before an adjective or noun when describing a reduced amount or degree.
defensief "Defensief" means defensive in this description of the discussion's tone. It refers to reacting as if one's position must be protected rather than evaluating evidence openly. Use it when describing a guarded attitude in a conversation.
Een "Een" means a or an and introduces the singular noun "risicosamenvatting". It presents the summary as one possible practical document for the discussion. The capital letter appears because this word begins the sentence.
risicosamenvatting "Risicosamenvatting" means risk summary. It is a summary focused on the risks shown by the current results. Use it when preparing a concise document for a project review or decision.
op "Op" contributes to the fixed expression "op basis van", meaning based on. In this sentence, it connects the summary to the results used as its foundation. Reuse op basis van before the information supporting an assessment.
basis "Basis" means basis in "op basis van de huidige resultaten". It identifies the results as the foundation for the risk summary. Use it in op basis van when explaining what information supports a conclusion.
huidige "Huidige" means current in "de huidige resultaten". It limits the reference to results available at the time of the meeting. Use it before a noun when distinguishing present information from earlier or future information.
resultaten "Resultaten" means results and refers here to the outcomes of the current tests. These results provide the evidence for the risk summary. Use it when reporting findings from tests, research, or project work.
daarbij "Daarbij" means with that or in that and refers to the evidence-based approach being discussed. In "zou daarbij helpen", it connects the summary with helping that approach. A useful pattern is iets helpt daarbij when an action supports an ongoing plan.
helpen "Helpen" means help in "zou daarbij helpen". It describes how the risk summary would support the proposed discussion and decision process. Use it after a modal or with daarbij when describing support for an action or goal.
samenvatting "Samenvatting" means summary in "die samenvatting". Here it refers to the risk summary based on current results. Use it when referring to a shortened presentation of important information.
meenemen "Meenemen" means bring or take along in "die samenvatting meenemen naar de vergadering". It describes carrying the summary with the speaker to the meeting. Use it with an object and naar when taking a document or item to an event or place.
naar "Naar" means to and marks the destination in "naar de vergadering". It shows where the summary will be taken. Reuse naar before a destination, event, or meeting.
vergadering "Vergadering" means meeting. Here it is the project meeting where the summary will be discussed. Use it for a planned gathering in which coworkers or other participants discuss work.
Zo "Zo" means so or this way in "Zo kunnen we een praktische beslissing nemen". It introduces the result or method that follows from using the summary and evidence. Use Zo at the start of a sentence when explaining how an earlier action enables a result.
praktische "Praktische" means practical in "een praktische beslissing". It describes a decision that can be applied to the project rather than remaining theoretical. Use it before a noun when emphasizing usefulness and real-world action.
beslissing "Beslissing" means decision in "een praktische beslissing nemen". It refers to the conclusion the team needs to reach about the timeline. It commonly appears with nemen when describing making a decision.
nemen "Nemen" means take in the expression "een praktische beslissing nemen", which means make a decision in English. The expression describes reaching a choice after considering the evidence. Use een beslissing nemen when referring to deciding on a course of action.

Grammar Points

hoewel + bijzin

Hoewel de planning ambitieus is, wil de leiding vaart maken.

hoo-WAYL duh PLAH-ning ahm-bee-see-OOS iss, vil duh LAY-ding VAHRT MAH-kun.

Although the timeline is ambitious, management wants to build momentum.

Na hoewel staat een bijzin met het werkwoord aan het einde: ambitieus is.

bijvoeglijk naamwoord vóór een zelfstandig naamwoord

De voorgestelde planning bevat onopgeloste problemen.

duh VOHR-guh-STEL-duh PLAH-ning buh-VAHT on-OP-guh-LOHS-tuh proh-BLAY-mun.

The proposed timeline contains unresolved problems.

Voor een zelfstandig naamwoord krijgt een bijvoeglijk naamwoord vaak -e: voorgestelde, onopgeloste.

Dutch Vocabulary

ambitieus adj
ahm-bee-see-OOS ambitious

lijkt ambitieus

gezien prep
guh-ZEEN given; considering

gezien de onopgeloste problemen

hoewel conj
hoo-WAYL although; though

hoewel de leiding vóór de evaluatie

leiding noun
LAY-ding leadership; management

de leiding wil

onopgelost adj
on-OP-guh-LOHST unresolved onopgeloste

de onopgeloste problemen

planning noun
PLAH-ning timeline; schedule

de planning lijkt ambitieus

probleem noun
proh-BLAYM problem; issue problemen

problemen met het testen

testen noun
TES-tun testing

problemen met het testen

vaart maken phrase
VAHRT MAH-kun to make progress; to build momentum

vaart wil maken

voorgesteld adj
VOHR-guh-STELT proposed voorgestelde

de voorgestelde planning

voortgang noun
VOHRT-gahng progress; momentum

De voortgang zal eronder lijden

zorg noun
zork concern

Ik deel die zorg

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

given; considering

Show Answergezien

ambitious

Show Answerambitieus

proposed

Show Answervoorgestelde

timeline; schedule

Show Answerplanning