Action Items or Work Orders are a process of correcting deficiencies.  Identifying, assigning, fixing and reporting are all steps to completing an action item.   By following the process consistently you set higher expectations of solving issues.

In a corporation one way to identify an issue or inefficiency is by doing an inspection.  The inspection should be done on regular bases, setting expectations that issues do need to be solved.  It is a protection to the Brand to uncover these issues that could otherwise cripple your organization or damage reputation if not discovered.

Once issues have been identified, they need to be assigned to the person who can best fix the issue.  The person who discovers the issue needs to be one who has responsibility over the person fixing the issue and the issue.

The problem then needs to be fixed. The one fixing the issue needs to be educated if that person doesn’t understand on how to fix the deficiency properly and be given a reasonable time of completion.   That person should also understand how fixing the problem can help the corporation.  This will help that person to understand they are an important part of the company.

When correction of the deficiency is completed, the person needs to report that it is done as well as giving any additional insights to help any future improvements on that issue.

By following these steps of solving action items, an organization can become efficient in curtailing problems and improve company image.   When action items or work orders are done electronically, the process can be done quickly and with a higher level of confidence of completion.