What it actually means
A task we will half-remember and possibly do.
Surface meaning: A specific task agreed in a meeting, with an owner and a deadline.
If someone just said “Action Item” in a meeting, here is what they probably meant, what to do about it, and how to keep your sanity.
In the wild
PM: Action item: Sarah owns the doc by Friday.
(Sarah: I was not in this meeting.)
How to respond
Every action item needs a name (not a team), a date (not 'soon'), and a deliverable (not 'progress'). Two of three is a wishlist.
Origin
Project management, dating to at least the 1960s. Survives because nothing replaced it.
FAQ
What does "Action Item" actually mean?
A task we will half-remember and possibly do.
Where did the phrase "Action Item" come from?
Project management, dating to at least the 1960s. Survives because nothing replaced it.
How should I respond when someone says "Action Item"?
Every action item needs a name (not a team), a date (not 'soon'), and a deliverable (not 'progress'). Two of three is a wishlist.
Related corporate vocabulary
This was, of course, a meeting that should have been an email.
Run the fake meeting simulator. Generate a bingo card. Be busy without being there.
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