10 Other Ways to Say “Speed up the Process”

Sometimes, we need to ask colleagues to complete tasks more quickly without sounding rude or pushy.

This article provides ten professional yet polite ways to say “speed up the process.” Each alternative is explained with examples to help you use them confidently in your emails and documents.

Is It Professional to Say “Speed up the Process”?

The phrase “speed up the process” is considered professional enough for most business communications, but it leans more towards the informal side of language. It is also generally seen as polite, especially if framed correctly within the context of the conversation.

It’s suitable for communication with colleagues, team members, or clients with whom you have built a level of familiarity. However, for first-time communications, especially with senior management or external, high-stake contacts, opting for a more formal phrase might be advisable.

This phrase works well in emails, memos, and direct messages.

Here is an example:

Dear Mark,

I wanted to check in on the status of the project timeline. If there's any way we can speed up the process, I believe it would greatly enhance our efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Let's discuss this further if you're available this week.

Best,
Sarah

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using this phrase:

Pros:

• Clear and straightforward, making your intention known without beating around the bush.
• Conveys a sense of urgency in a polite manner.
• Appropriate for use in less formal or internally focused communications.

Cons:

• May be perceived as too informal in very formal or traditional business settings.
• Without proper context, it might come across as impatient or demanding.
• May not be explicit enough about the specific actions needed to accelerate the process.

Someone might want to look for synonyms or alternative phrases if the setting is highly formal or if they want to soften the request further. Alternatives could also help convey the message in a way that’s better tailored to the communication style of the recipient or the culture of the organization involved.

10 Other Ways to Say “Speed up the Process”

Looking for different ways to express the need to expedite something at work? Here are ten popular alternatives you can use in a professional email:

1. Expedite the timeline

This alternative is a direct synonym of “speed up the process” but carries a slightly more formal tone. It suggests a sense of urgency in a straightforward, yet polite manner. It’s exactly what you’d need in a business setting when you want to keep things professional and to the point.

Using “expedite the timeline” is especially effective in emails or messages to team members who appreciate concise language. It’s also suitable for communications with suppliers or partners where a deadline is approaching, and there is a need to emphasize the urgency politely through an electronic medium.

Example:

Dear Alex,

I was wondering if there's any possibility to expedite the timeline for our current project. Doing so would significantly help meet our quarter's objectives.

Warm regards,
Emma

2. Accelerate the schedule

“Accelerate the schedule” serves as another professional synonym to “speed up the process”, introducing an action-oriented approach to achieving goals sooner. This phrasing is polite yet suggests immediate action, perfect for professional environments looking to maintain formality without becoming overly rigid.

This phrase is a good fit when addressing project leaders or team members in a business setting. It strikes the right balance between urgency and professionalism, making it suitable for emails and official documents that require a tone of assurance and prompt action.

Example:

Dear Brenda,

To meet our launch date, we must look at ways to accelerate the schedule for product development. Let's discuss this further.

Best,
Lucas

3. Shorten the timeline

Compared to “speed up the process,” “shorten the timeline” is somewhat more direct and may suggest a more significant adjustment. It’s polite and professional, with a bit of a straightforward edge, perfect for when you’re trying to convey urgency without offending or pressuring your recipient too much.

This alternative is best suited for internal communications within teams or departments when a project needs to be completed sooner than planned. It works well in emails or meeting discussions where the focus is on deadline adjustments.

Example:

Dear Team,

After reviewing our project scope, there seems to be a need to shorten the timeline to ensure we're aligned with the client's expectations. Your thoughts?

Best regards,
Jordan

4. Fast-track the project

“Fast-track the project” is an energetic and action-packed alternative that implies moving a project up in priority to achieve its objectives sooner. It is both professional and polite, suggesting a collaborative effort to overcome timelines without sacrificing quality.

This phrase is especially useful in communications that aim to rally a team or secure executive support for prioritizing a particular project. It’s ideal for emails, project proposals, or during project update meetings where emphasis on speed and efficiency is critical.

Example:

Dear Melissa,

To align with our strategic goals, we've decided to fast-track the project. Let's discuss the implications and required resources.

Cheers,
Derek

5. Increase the pace

Using “increase the pace” offers a gentle nudge towards speeding up without directly stating it, making it a polite and subtle option. It conveys the idea of accelerating progress in a less formal, yet still professional manner.

This alternative might be particularly effective in team emails or messages when encouraging colleagues to pick up the pace on certain tasks or projects. It’s best used in a supportive, encouraging context, aiming to boost productivity without applying undue pressure. If you often experience issues with slow progress, integrating a time clock for small business can help boost productivity within your team.

Example:

Dear Carla,

We're making good progress; however, there's an opportunity to increase the pace on some of our key deliverables. Let's discuss how we can achieve this.

Thanks,
Simon

6. Advance the deadline

“Advance the deadline” directly implies bringing a due date forward. While it is professional and formal, it also carries a sense of immediacy and urgency. This phrase is best employed where the timeline adjustments are crucial and non-negotiable.

It is suited for communications with both internal and external stakeholders when a project’s deadline must be moved up. Ideal contexts include critical email updates, project management meetings, or contractual discussions, emphasizing the need for swift action.

Example:

Dear Tobias,

Given the importance of the launch, we need to advance the deadline for our marketing materials. Your understanding and cooperation in this matter are highly appreciated.

Regards,
Nina

7. Push the schedule forward

Similar to advancing the deadline, “push the schedule forward” implies a proactive adjustment to timelines, but it does so in a way that feels dynamic and polite. This professional phrasing manages to convey urgency without coming across as too demanding.

This alternative is well-suited for project updates or team meetings where the plan needs to be accelerated. It’s effective in emails and verbal communication, particularly with teams that are flexible and able to adapt to changes quickly.

Example:

Dear Ethan,

In our efforts to exceed client expectations, we've decided to push the schedule forward. Your input on how to best achieve this would be valuable.

Sincerely,
Olivia

8. Make it a priority

“Make it a priority” shifts the focus towards prioritizing tasks or projects without explicitly stating the need to hurry. It’s polite, suggestive, and carries a professional tone, making it a versatile choice for assorted business situations.

This phrasing is particularly effective in emails or messages focused on reallocating resources or attention to specific initiatives. It’s best suited for situations where emphasizing the importance of acceleration is necessary without changing explicit timelines.

Example:

Dear James,

To ensure we meet our client's needs, I’m asking everyone to make it a priority to focus on the current project phases.

Thank you,
Laura

9. Enhance processing speed

Opting for “enhance processing speed” infuses the conversation with a focus on efficacy and improvement. It’s a professional, formal, and polite way of asking for faster outcomes without sounding impatient.

This alternative fits well in contexts requiring efficiency improvements, like during operational reviews or in communications about manufacturing or software development processes. It’s best applied in emails or formal documents where the goal is to improve overall performance.

Example:

Dear Veronica,

To meet our quarterly goals, we need to explore ways to enhance processing speed in our packaging line.

Best,
Henry

10. Streamline the process

“Streamline the process” suggests a broader approach to speeding things up, focusing not only on pace but also on efficiency and simplification. It’s a professional and polite way to propose enhancing workflows or procedures.

This phrase is particularly useful in discussions around process improvement, whether in team meetings, strategic planning sessions, or in communications aimed at enhancing productivity. It’s suitable for professional emails, planning documents, or in conversations focused on operational efficiency.

Example:

Dear Joel,

To better serve our customers, it’s becoming increasingly important that we look into how we can streamline the process of customer feedback.

Warm regards,
Courtney

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right words is important, especially when you want to encourage your team to work faster without making anyone feel uncomfortable. The ten alternatives to “speed up the process” we discussed offer different ways to communicate urgency professionally and politely. By using these phrases, you can maintain positive relationships with your coworkers, even in times of stress.