Methods or techniques that have consistently shown superior results and are accepted as standard approaches within an industry or field.
This phrase emerged from management consulting in the 1980s, particularly through McKinsey & Company's work on organizational excellence. It gained prominence as companies began systematically studying and copying successful competitors' methods.
The phrase assumes that practices can be universally 'best' across different contexts, which anthropologists find fascinating since it reflects Western industrial thinking about standardization. Many cultures have no equivalent concept, preferring contextual wisdom over universal solutions.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.