Window of opportunity

For the episode of Stargate SG-1, see Window of Opportunity (Stargate SG-1). For time-critical applications in computing, see real-time computing.
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Critical windows in emergency medicine
Illustration of a short gamma-ray burst, a transient astronomical event caused by a collapsing star.[1]

A window of opportunity, also called a margin of opportunity or critical window, is a period of time during which some action can be taken that will achieve a desired outcome. Once this period is over, or the "window is closed", the specified outcome is no longer possible.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Niorlab was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Collins was invoked but never defined (see the help page).