Action items are tasks assigned to individuals or departments in a project with a due date. The project manager develops and maintains the list, ensuring timely completion as subsequent tasks depend on previous ones. Missing a due date can delay the entire project.
An action item is a task that needs to be done, usually as a step in a larger project or undertaking. In business, these items are often assigned to individual or departmental members of a project team, based on availability and area of expertise. In most cases, action items are accompanied by a due or due date, a date by which the task must be completed in order for other tasks to be completed on time.
On large business projects, the project manager is usually responsible for developing and maintaining the action item list, assigning each action item, and ensuring each team member meets their due dates. Developing the list is an initial step in any project plan and is critical to the success of the project. Each required action should be identified and clearly defined so that it can be assigned to a responsible party. It is also critical that each item is placed in its correct position on the timeline, as further actions may depend on the completion of a previous item.
For example, a team might be working to develop a new product for a customer. Initial action item list tasks may include identifying the budget, determining the maximum allowable size, obtaining a final order quantity, and obtaining an expiration date from the customer. The next round of action items might include designing the product and identifying materials. This second round of tasks cannot even be started until the first round is completed, because the type of material selected and the complexity of the design will be significantly affected by the size of the item, the number requested and the time in which a job will be completed. the product must be delivered and the budget available. If an individual responsible for a task in the first round misses its due date, the due dates of all subsequent rounds of tasks will also be pushed back.
Timely completion of an action item is also critical, as subsequent action items sometimes cannot be identified until the results of a task are reported. For example, an agency tasked with creating a marketing plan for a public university might assign someone to find out what restrictions apply to the use of government funds for promotional items. If the outcome of that query is that these funds cannot be used to purchase promotional items, the subsequent action item might be to find out if the college has access to donor funds that can be used. If the answer to the initial query is that government funds can be used, but promotional items cannot include edible or drinkable items, the next action item might be to identify which non-food items are best for the university.
Asset Smart.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
