key factor
Main determining cause
A key factor is something that plays a crucial role in determining an outcome or result.
The phrase emphasizes that among many contributing elements, this one matters most: Cost was the key factor in our decision.
In analysis and explanation, identifying key factors means isolating what actually drives results from what merely accompanies them.
- crucialOf supreme importance
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- determinantMatrix-derived scalar quantity
- pivotalVitally important, deciding
- essentialFundamentally necessary
driver · catalyst · linchpin · cornerstone · variable · influence · weight · leverage · trigger · ingredient · element · component · moving parts · unlock · breakthrough · turning point · crux · hinge
- Factorsmultiplier, divisor, coefficient
- keyskeychain, keyring, keyhole, keyway, keycard
- necessitiesbasics, essentials, need, essential, needs
- root causessource, origin, cause, reason, primary cause
- Strategic Planningcontingency plan, contingency plans, forecasting, roadmap, decision tree
key factorminor detail
Insignificant specific element
minor point · footnote · afterthought · side issue · background noise
key factorred herring
Intentional misleading distraction
distraction · tangent · moot point · beside the point · irrelevance
key, factor, keys, keyed, keying, keyless, factors, factored, factoring