Action log template

Use this action log template to track decisions, owners, and due dates in one place. It turns meeting follow-ups and project tasks into a simple, shared list of action items so nothing slips through the cracks. An action log centralizes actions from standups, project reviews, and team member check-ins so you can move work forward faster.

Who benefits from action log templates?

Here at Asana, our teams rely on clearly defined owners and deadlines, especially after fast-moving meetings. We’ve learned that a living action log turns vague notes into trackable work.

Action logs help project managers, team leads, and operations pros who juggle cross-functional tasks and dependencies. If your day includes running meetings, capturing action items, and following up on blockers, an action log template creates a single source of truth your team can trust.

• Project managers: Keep a running list of decisions, next steps, and owners with delivery dates. Ideal for sprint reviews and retrospectives.

• Team leads: Make accountability visible to the entire team. You can see who’s doing what, by when, and spot risks before they create delays.

• Operations and chiefs of staff: Roll up actions from project meetings and workstreams into a single view so leaders get fast, accurate status updates.

• Client-facing teams: Record commitments from calls, then track every follow-up to keep project schedules on time and on scope.

Why use Asana’s action item template

After a weekly status meeting, it’s common to leave with pages of notes and no apparent action plan. Asana’s action log template turns every note into a task with a due date, context, and additional information.

Asana’s action item log templates help you:

• Establish ownership for every action item with assignees and deadlines

• Enable fast follow-through using automation rules and reminders

• View work in flexible formats like a list, board, or timeline to match your workflow

• Access real-time reporting to identify overdue or at-risk items

• Simplify onboarding and intake through forms for new requests between meetings

How to use this action log template

This template is simple to adopt. Start logging actions, and the structure does the heavy lifting. You can also browse Asana’s project management template library to standardize more of your team’s work, from meetings to projects.

Step 1: Add and organize new action items

Create new tasks in the Action Items section to capture everything discussed during a meeting or review. Assign an owner, set a due date, and mark a priority so teammates know what to do next. Add the Raised by name and Action ID to make follow-ups easy to document.

Group similar actions together and double-check that every task includes an owner and a deadline. This step ensures no items are lost and that your action item template is the single source of truth for ongoing commitments.

Step 2: Move work through stages

As work progresses, drag tasks into the In Progress section to show what’s assigned. When you complete a task, move it to Completed Actions so everyone can see results without asking for updates. If something stalls, shift it to On Hold until you can pick it back up.

Use these sections to visualize progress. Each step in the workflow signals to the team where focus is needed next and creates momentum and transparency throughout the project.

Step 3: Monitor and update task details

Update the Status and Due fields as work advances. If priorities change, adjust the Priority field so your team works on the critical path items first. Add supporting notes or files to give each assignee the information they need.

Review this information regularly to keep your action log template up to date. A few quick updates can prevent confusion around task ownership or deadlines.

Step 4: Review and report outcomes

During reviews or retrospectives, filter by Priority or Status to focus discussions. Highlight completed tasks in the Completed Actions section to celebrate wins and identify blockers for next time. Use these insights to improve how you plan and delegate work going forward.

Turn your action item log template into a record of progress and results. By capturing outcomes directly within the project, you create a searchable history that improves your decision-making process.

Step 5: Close and archive completed work

Once you complete a task, assign it to Completed Actions for reference. If a task becomes irrelevant, move it to the Canceled state. Categories make it easy to scan what your team has done versus what still needs attention. Archive old or finished actions at the end of each cycle to keep your action item template organized.

Asana action plan features

Asana features let you customize your action log template to suit your team’s task management flow. We designed this free template with some of our go-to action-planning tools, but visit our features library for more ideas.

Tasks and assignees

Turn every action into a trackable task and assign it an owner. Add timelines and start dates to set expectations and keep momentum moving.

Custom fields

Tag actions by priority, meeting source, or critical path indicators to sort and filter like a spreadsheet without leaving the project.

Dependencies

Show when one task blocks another, so teams don’t start work too early, and timeframes are realistic.

Rules (automation)

Auto-assign tasks, add followers, or post reminders when completion dates approach.

Project views

Use multiple project views (list, board, timeline, calendar, and dashboard) to organize your list of action items, visualize scheduling, and track progress from every angle.

Dashboards and status updates Track action items in real time and effortlessly share charts and status updates. Your action list template keeps all details organized and easy to review.

Recommended integrations for action item templates

Asana integrations connect your action item tracker to the tools you already use, so capturing and closing action items is seamless across meetings, chat, and email. Explore the full gallery of app integrations to find the platforms and project management software your team members regularly use.

Slack

Turn chat messages into tasks in seconds, and post automatic reminders in the channel before each completion date. The Slack integration is perfect for fast follow-ups after stand-up meetings.

Microsoft Teams

Turn chats and calls into tasks you can track in your action log template. Sync with Excel to update timeframes, priority level, and any corrective actions, then follow up in real time.

Zoom

Capture meeting action items instantly by turning Zoom notes and transcripts into tasks you can assign, track, and close directly in your project plan.

Gmail

Turn emails into action items or milestones that you can manage without leaving your inbox.

Google Sheets

Sync your action item log template to Google Sheets so you can sort, filter, and share project progress with stakeholders and team members.

Jira Cloud

Connect your action tracker to Jira Cloud to sync engineering tasks, manage dependencies, and track deliverables alongside other project management workflows.

FAQs about action log templates