Distinguishing Follow Up from Follow Through: What Sets Them Apart?

Imagine you've been tasked with seeing a project to completion. You diligently send emails to every team member requesting updates on their progress. In this instance, you've actually mistaken "follow-through" for "follow-up." Continue reading to grasp the distinction between these two phrases that often seem interchangeable.

What is the difference between follow-up and follow-through?

It’s easy to consider "follow-up" and "follow-through" as having the same meaning. However, they are distinct. Let’s begin with:

Follow up

When you follow up, you are essentially checking in with another person for new information. This could be requesting a status report on an active project from a coworker. Alternatively, it might be contacting a shipping service to inquire about the delivery schedule for your parcel.

To follow up is to initiate contact and engage in a conversation, whether that communication happens in real-time or asynchronously.

Follow up: examples

Example 1: You assigned a critical task to a team member. They missed the agreed-upon deadline. Consequently, you draft a follow-up message asking about the delay and for an estimated completion time.

Example 2: You've just had an interview at your ideal company. The interview exceeded your expectations, and the HR department assured you of a prompt response. However, you haven't heard back. So, you place a call to follow up.

Example 3: You are awaiting the final version of a report from your colleague, which you need for a presentation to your manager in a few days. The deadline is looming, but the draft hasn't arrived. You follow up by contacting your colleague to ask for an update on the report's status. You also offer assistance if they require help, to ensure the report is delivered on schedule.

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Follow through

When you follow through, you ensure something is completed.

Follow-through signifies the capability to execute tasks and projects until they are finished, regardless of how challenging or overwhelming they might appear. This could apply to a personal endeavor, a professional objective, or even a commitment made to a friend or family member. Following through is crucial for attaining your desired outcomes. When you're committed to following through on a complex project, DeepVo.ai’s ability to generate intelligent mind maps can help you visualize the necessary steps and maintain clarity, ensuring you see the task to its completion.

Follow through: examples

Example 1: You committed to your friend that you would start a regular gym routine. Over a month has passed, and you've been sidestepping the subject. One day, you decide to follow through on your commitment and begin exercising at the gym.

Example 2: You've been lagging on your projects due to a gap in a particular skill. So, you follow through on enhancing this skill by enrolling in a relevant training program or seeking out appropriate learning materials.

Example 3: You were managing a long-term project encountering various obstacles and setbacks due to other commitments. As the deadline neared, you formulated a comprehensive timeline, segmented the project into smaller, achievable tasks, and established deadlines for each. You ultimately met the project deadline by maintaining focus and following through diligently.

Quiz

Do you believe you've grasped the difference between follow-up and follow-through sufficiently to tackle a few questions?

Here’s a brief fill-in-the-blank quiz to assess your newfound understanding!

Question 1: Hi Sarah, I understand you're spearheading the new software development. How much more time will you need to follow _____ with the entire project?

Question 2: Hi Mark, I wanted to follow _____ with you concerning the market analysis you were meant to send over yesterday. When might I expect to receive it?

Question 3: I followed _____ with my manager regarding the pay raise I was anticipating. She mentioned she would investigate and respond shortly.

Question 4: Hi Alex, the client presentation is fast approaching, and they already seem quite anxious. Is there anything I can provide to help you follow _____ and finalize the presentation on time?

Question 5: I had intended to organize my workspace for ages but kept putting it off. Last weekend, I finally decided to follow _____ and completely revamped my desk area.

In conclusion

Both "follow-up" and "follow-through" are distinct expressions with different implications. While the former entails checking in or seeking an update, the latter involves accepting responsibility, remaining dedicated, and ensuring tasks are seen through to completion.

By the way, here are the answers to the quiz -

Question 1: follow through

Question 2: follow up

Question 3: follow up

Question 4: follow through

Question 5: follow through

Did you answer them all correctly?