Say it like this
- We have several action items to cover before we ship.
- Who is owning this action item?
- Let's make sure all action items are tracked in Jira.
Use it at work
Ending a meeting
- Before we wrap up, let's go over the action items.
- I'll send the action items in Slack after the call.
Taking ownership
- I'll take that action item and update you by Thursday.
- Can you put my name on that action item?
Following up
- Quick follow-up on last week's action items. Any blockers?
- Two action items are still open from the retro.
Don't say this
Action item is a noun, not a verb. Do not use it as a verb in this way.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| action item | A task agreed in a meeting | Anyone at the meeting | Comes out of a meeting |
| ticket | A tracked task in Jira or similar | The team | Lives in the backlog |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your team finished discussing a deployment issue. What do you say?
2. The product manager will _______ this feature request and add it to the backlog.
3. Which sentence uses action item incorrectly?
4. Rewrite using action item: 'In our meeting, we decided that someone should test the API, and another person should write the documentation before next week.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We have several action items to cover before we ship."
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about action item
Real examples(3)
- in a standup meeting
"I have two action items from yesterday: update the database schema and review the pull request by EOD."
- in a planning meeting
"The main action item coming out of this discussion is that Sarah will create the technical specification by next Thursday."
- in a retrospective
"We identified action items to improve our deployment process: testing automation, documentation, and better monitoring setup."
More mistakes(3)
Handle with care. Do not use as a verb (saying 'to action item something' is awkward). Instead, use 'to assign an action item' or 'to own an action item'.
- ✕The action items are just suggestions for later.✓Action items are commitments we track and complete by the deadline.
Action items are concrete, tracked responsibilities, not loose suggestions. They require accountability.
- ✕I have many action items but no deadline.✓I have action items with clear deadlines assigned.
Effective action items always include a deadline; otherwise, they may never get done.
- ✕This action item is for the whole team.✓This action item is assigned to James on the team.
Action items need clear individual ownership. Assigning to an entire team creates confusion about responsibility.
Other forms(2)
- action item noun
"The action item is to refactor the authentication module."
- action items (plural) noun
"We have five action items to complete this sprint."
Often used with(5)
- assign an action item · To give someone responsibility for a task; common in meetings.
- own an action item · To take responsibility and be accountable for completing a task.
- track action items · To monitor and follow up on assigned tasks to ensure completion.
- close an action item · To mark a task as complete and remove it from the active list.
- action item list · A document or tool listing all open tasks and their owners.
Similar words(4)
- task · More general; action item is more formal and implies accountability and deadlines.
- to-do · Less formal; action item is used more in professional meetings and tracking.
- deliverable · Action item is broader; deliverable often refers to a final output product.
- agenda item · Agenda item is a topic to discuss; action item is what comes after discussion is assigned.
Opposites(3)
- completed
- closed
- done
Questions(5)
- What does action item mean in software engineering?
- An action item is a specific, assigned task with a clear owner and deadline that must be completed. It is the result of a decision or discussion in a meeting. In tech, action items track what work needs to be done and who is responsible.
- How do you use action item in a sentence at work?
- You typically use it when assigning or tracking work: 'This is an action item for you' or 'We have three action items from today's meeting.' You can also say 'I own this action item' to show you are responsible for it.
- Is action item formal or informal?
- Action item is neutral and professional. It is used in formal meetings, emails, and documentation, but also in casual standup discussions. It is appropriate in any professional tech setting.
- What is the difference between an action item and a task?
- Both are similar, but action item is more specific to professional settings and implies clear ownership and accountability through a meeting decision. A task is more general. In tech, action items are tracked formally to ensure follow-up.
- Can you use action item as a verb?
- No, action item is a noun and should not be used as a verb. Do not say 'to action item something.' Instead, use phrases like 'assign an action item' or 'own an action item.'
