clear out an overdue back-log

English translation: Complete overdue tasks from a list of data entry tasks

04:33 Oct 7, 2019
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Finance (general)
English term or phrase: clear out an overdue back-log
Context:
He has been directed to find a vendor to help with data entry by Wednesday, so that the team can clear out an overdue back-log of employee data that needs to be entered into the system by Friday.
Nam Vo
Vietnam
Local time: 06:06
Selected answer:Complete overdue tasks from a list of data entry tasks
Explanation:
The team keeps a list of tasks regarding data entry (in project management, such a list of tasks is typically called "a backlog"). It sounds like the list got tasks that are past the deadline (overdue) and the team is looking for help to finish those tasks. When the overdue tasks are finished, they are removed ("cleared") from the backlog, hence "clearing out an overdue backlog".
Selected response from:

Natalia Postrigan
United States
Local time: 16:06
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +2Complete overdue tasks from a list of data entry tasks
Natalia Postrigan
4complete all overdue tasks...
Yvonne Gallagher


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Complete overdue tasks from a list of data entry tasks


Explanation:
The team keeps a list of tasks regarding data entry (in project management, such a list of tasks is typically called "a backlog"). It sounds like the list got tasks that are past the deadline (overdue) and the team is looking for help to finish those tasks. When the overdue tasks are finished, they are removed ("cleared") from the backlog, hence "clearing out an overdue backlog".

Natalia Postrigan
United States
Local time: 16:06
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: A 'backlog' is not per se a 'list of tasks' — it simply means tasks that remain to be completed (and in this case are now overdue); the sense of 'log' is almost non-existent in current usage.
37 mins

neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: Disagree with part of your explanation: a list of tasks is typically called "a backlog"
3 hrs

agree  mike23
8 hrs

agree  NancyLynn
1 day 7 hrs

neutral  AllegroTrans: Adding "from a list of data entry tasks" is over-translation
11 days
  -> Agreed. It should be part of the explanation, not the entry.
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
complete all overdue tasks...


Explanation:
...so there is no longer any backlog

https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/backlog

and yes, "overdue backlog" is a tautology

so it simply means they will get help with completing all data entries (by Fri)

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Note added at 5 hrs (2019-10-07 09:54:03 GMT)
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BTW "overdue" means late or past the deadline for doing

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 23:06
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 44

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Natalia Postrigan: This is the same as my answer. I just tried to provide the OP with more explanation. I am a certified project manager (PMP) if it matters. I feel like we should not be taking kudos points from colleagues unnecessarily.
2 hrs
  -> Look again. Not the same. It's about accurate English, not points. And no, it doesn't matter

disagree  Daryo: in real life not any "backlog" is "overdue" - a backlog becomes "overdue" ONLY after some time limits have passed // same as not every debt being automatically "overdue"
17 hrs
  -> in real life you haven't a clue about REAL English & haven't actually read what I said. I never said a backlog was overdue! Maybe you should look at the definition I helpfully provided??

agree  AllegroTrans
10 days
  -> Many thanks:-) In THIS context it clearly is a backlog in the traditional sense
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