just an option

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Note added at 14 min (2012-06-09 08:16:01 GMT)
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may be ** skill, mastery** is better.

maîtrise d'ouvrage = project management

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Note added at 18 min (2012-06-09 08:19:17 GMT)
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or project ownership for maîtrise d'ouvrage
It depends on context.

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Note added at 19 min (2012-06-09 08:20:25 GMT)
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project manager = maître d'oeuvre

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Note added at 57 min (2012-06-09 08:58:54 GMT)
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@Tony & Peter
may be: "hands-on capacity" (between inverted commas, might fit colloquially (manual ability/skillfulness of doing something, being skilled in managing manual activities). What's your view about this?

this may capture the intention as without fuller context the translation is only tentative.

This is a twist on B D Finch's answer, and is based on the link below, which describes 'maitrise d'usage' as the participation of end-users (i.e. citizens, inhabitants, etc.) in projects. I googled "end-user participation" and it gets quite a few hits, particularly in relation to IT at a first glance. Not sure if it would work in the context of the asker's translation though.

More context is needed here; based on available info, I'd say the term refers to the development/design of a product or service with the needs and requirements of the end-user in mind.

Don't think the focus is on user participation, but rather on thinking from the consumer's point of view.

Another option would be to include "product development" somewhere, but that might make the EN term a bit too chunky.

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Note added at 1 day5 hrs (2012-06-10 13:08:11 GMT)
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Maîtrise d'ouvrage = project management.
Maîtrise d'oeuvre = operations / operational expertise.

These refer to the company or factory's perspective on its processes, products and services, so it makes sense for maîtrise d'usage to refer to the customer's/consumer's needs and expectations.

http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/end us...

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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-06-09 10:30:20 GMT)
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"Executive Support/End User Consultant ... [see link for job description] "
http://www.washingtonpost.com/jobs/JS_JobSearchDetail?jobid=...

uk.linkedin.com/pub/justin-park-mbcs/49/867/32
" ... Engineer at... JPW Buckens · Dave Bell · Jim Baker Business Development & Financial... James Farrington-Rogers Head of End User Consultancy &Design at."

cloudcomputingbootcamp.com/node/2284658
" ... is the founder of VM Associates, an end-user consultancy for businesses looking to move to the cloud from pre-existing legacy systems."



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Note added at 1 day8 hrs (2012-06-10 16:38:17 GMT) Post-grading
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Here is an example from a finance context:
"Demonstrating knowledge of the Ellucian Banner functional area processes related to procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, internal stores, journal entries, budget development policies and procedures, and be capable of providing quality end-user consultation and support."
http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?Jobcode=175627264&aI...

And, in a health service context:
"MKWUG challenge PCT on lack of end user consultation on cessation of supply of hand made shoes to wheelchair uses who cannot walk. Any change to PCT services must be made in consultation with the service user."
http://www.mkwug.btck.co.uk/HistoryofMKWUGcampaign