# "Actionable" results **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886 "2015-07-22T16:27:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886/1 "2015-07-22T16:27:54Z")
If a business promoted itself as producing “actionable results,” how would you interpret that? In this case, they mean their service leaves you with a viable action list (for things like OSHA/ADA/EPA/Building Code compliance). Does the legal meaning of the term - that an act, statement or incident opens a door to legal action (and, usually, is likely to do so) - does that usage completely trump the “kinder” definition for you? Would you choose a business that boasted they can bring you actionable results? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886/2 "2015-07-22T16:31:50Z")
I would think it’s the latest corporate-speak buzzword and avoid. [Like this.](http://www.stratagem-intl.co.uk/research-actionable-results) And they misspelled _succinct_. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886/3 "2015-07-22T19:26:09Z")
It means that the output of their work for you will be something that you can use to directly improve your … product or service, or whatever. For instance, if they analyze your widget assembly line, they will recommend something that will speed up the assembly or improve the final product. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886/4 "2015-07-22T20:03:00Z")
I’d assume it meant they were producing results I could take legal action on, and that would be a very odd thing for them to say, so I’d avoid them. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886/5 "2015-07-22T20:06:38Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > It means that the output of their work for you will be something that you can use to directly improve your … product or service, or whatever. For instance, if they analyze your widget assembly line, they will recommend something that will speed up the assembly or improve the final product. This is how I would interpret it. I hear this usage fairly frequently in my field. I’m familiar with the legal usage, but I hear it less often. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886/6 "2015-07-22T20:15:48Z")
Non-actionable results == Pointing out problems you have. Actionable results == Recommending solutions to the problems you have. I don’t think the legal definition matters much, unless it’s a law firm advertising. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actionable-results/725886/7 "2015-07-22T21:40:28Z")
Ah yes, newspeak. Son of English teacher. “Actionable” is a Tort, giving rise to possible litigation. A list of suggested actions is “Recommended actions”. We will now have yet another discussion of “descriptive” vs. “prescriptive” word and thier meanings.