Commonly Used Words and Terms

KBR is a complex, ever-changing global business. As such, it can be difficult to keep track of all the terms we use to describe the various parts of the business. This section includes business and business unit names and abbreviations as well as a glossary of commonly used words or terms you may encounter. We have included guidance for using these terms in your writing.

Glossary

3D – Shorthand for three-dimensional form or the technology.

artificial intelligence (AI) – Spelled out on first mention, abbreviated thereafter.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) – Referring to the region. Should generally be spelled out on first mention. However, since it is a commonly used abbreviation, the abbreviation may be used on first reference and then explained parenthetically.

business unit – Always lowercase unless design or formatting dictates otherwise. Used to describe the main business groups that comprise Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions

capex – Shorthand for “capital expenditure.” Should always be lowercase, per AP Style.

cyberattack – All one word.

cybersecurity – All one word.

cyberthreat – All one word.

decision-maker/decision-making – Hyphenated compound noun or modifier. Same applies to “knowledge-sharing.”

defence – Only use this spelling in localized U.K. or Australian English or if it is part of the name of an official government or military body, as in U.K. Ministry of Defence.

EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) – Referring to the region. Should generally be spelled out on first mention. However, since it is a commonly used abbreviation, the abbreviation may be used on first reference and then explained parenthetically.

EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) – Can either be written as abbreviation first with full term spelled out parenthetically or vice versa.

ESG (environmental, social and governance principles) – Almost always written out as the entry heading is written.

executive leadership team (ELT) – Spelled out on first mention and should be lowercase unless design calls for title case. May be referred to ELT on subsequent mentions.

fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) – Common energy industry term, therefore always lowercase.

government – Lowercase unless dictated by use in a headline or design treatment.

health care – Two separate words as both noun and modifier.

historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) – Generally spelled out on first mention and abbreviated on subsequent uses. Per AP Style, KBR capitalizes Black when used as an adjective in a racial, ethnic or cultural sense: Black people, Black culture, Black literature, Black studies, Black colleges.

inclusion and diversity (I&D) – Spell out on first reference with the word “and,” and use I&D thereafter. Should be capitalized if referring to the Inclusion and Diversity KBR Sustainability Pillar.

KBR Board of Directors – Should only be capitalized when written as the title of this entry. Should be lowercase when referred to as “the board” or “KBR board” or “board of directors.”

KBR Sustainability Pillars – Capitalized when written out as “KBR Sustainability Pillars,” but should be lowercase when written as “sustainability pillars” or simply “pillars.”

KBR Link – Always referred to in body copy by the full title. Never referred to simply as “Link” or “the Link.”

life cycle – This is a compound noun made up of two separate words. It is never one word nor is it hyphenated as a compound modifier, per AP Style.

machine learning (ML) – Spelled out on first mention, abbreviated thereafter.

megaproject – One word, lowercase.

net zero – Two words, always lowercase unless used in a headline. Should be hyphenated when used as a compound modifier, as in net-zero carbon emissions. If used as a compound modifier in a headline, the Z should not be capitalized.

ONE KBR – Always two words, all caps.

opex – Shorthand for “operational expenditures.” Should always be lowercase, per AP Style.

People team or People function – Term adopted in 2022 to refer to KBR’s human resources team. People should be capitalized.

programme – Only use this spelling in localized U.K. English or if it is part of the name of an official government or military body or project, as in Programme and Project Partners.

startup – One word; an exception to Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

United States (or U.S.) Department of Defense (DOD) – Should be spelled out on first reference and shortened to DOD thereafter. DOD maybe used on first reference if it’s in a headline.

well-being – Hyphenated compound noun or modifier.

white paper – Two separate words

U.K. – Used with periods. No need to spell out “United Kingdom.”

United States – Generally spelled out on first mention. It’s acceptable to use the modifier “U.S.” in most cases, such as U.S. states or U.S. Department of Defense.

Zero Harm – Always two words and always capitalized.

Mission Technology Solutions

The following are common terms associated with KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions business. Most entries should be spelled out on first use and may be abbreviated as indicated thereafter unless otherwise noted.

Defense Technology Solutions (DTS) – Mission Tech business unit.

Frazer-Nash Consultancy – Always written as the full name on the first mention. “Consultancy” may be dropped on subsequent mention. Do not use the acronym FNC.

Harmonic – Now part of Frazer-Nash Consultancy.

KORD – A wholly owned subsidiary of KBR. Part of Mission Tech within the Defense Technology Solutions business unit.

Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) – Can either be spelled out on the first mention as in the title of this entry, or it can be abbreviated and spelled out parenthetically, say if used in a headline, for example.

Mission Technology Solutions – May also be written as Mission Tech.

National Security Solutions (NSS) – Mission Tech business unit.

Readiness and Sustainment Solutions (R&S) – Mission Tech business unit.

Science and Space Solutions (S&S) – Mission Tech business unit.

VIMA Group – Now part of Frazer-Nash Consultancy. It should be written as an entry heading on the first mention.