Action Item Best Practices

---
name: meeting-briefing-action-item-best-practices
description: 'Sub-skill of meeting-briefing: Action Item Best Practices (+2).'
version: 1.0.0
category: business
type: reference
scripts_exempt: true
---

# Action Item Best Practices (+2)

## Action Item Best Practices


- **Be specific**: "Send redline of Section 4.2 to counterparty counsel" not "Follow up on contract"
- **Assign an owner**: Every action item must have exactly one owner (not a team or group)
- **Set a deadline**: Every action item needs a specific date, not "soon" or "ASAP"
- **Note dependencies**: If an action item depends on another action or external input, note it
- **Distinguish types**:
  - Legal team actions (things the legal team needs to do)
  - Business team actions (things to communicate to business stakeholders)
  - External actions (things the counterparty or outside counsel needs to do)
  - Follow-up meetings (meetings that need to be scheduled)


## Follow-Up


After the meeting:
1. **Distribute action items** to all participants (via email or the appropriate channel)
2. **Set calendar reminders** for deadlines
3. **Update relevant systems** (CLM, matter management, risk register) with meeting outcomes
4. **File meeting notes** in the appropriate document repository
5. **Flag urgent items** that need immediate attention


## Tracking Cadence


- **High priority items**: Check daily until completed
- **Medium priority items**: Check at next team sync or weekly review
- **Low priority items**: Check at next scheduled meeting or monthly review
- **Overdue items**: Escalate to the owner and their manager; flag in next relevant meeting