Glossary of Action Verbs

Administer

Exercise and implement control over the performance of specific operations, approved plans, or established policies within the scope of limited and well-defined authority.

Advise

Give information or opinion pertinent to a probable course of action.

Analyze

Study the factors of a problem to determine a proper solution.

Appraise

Exercise expert judgment of the value or status of proposals or performance.

Approve

Authorize action; exercise final authority; act independently without further consultation.

Assign

Appoint subordinates to accomplish specific responsibilities.

Assist

Take active part or give support in performing a function.

Audit

Examine to verify accuracy, or conformity with requirements.

Authorize

Give subordinates the power or right to act by virtue of having final, or definite authority.

Conduct

Exercise leadership in a project or study.

Consult

Seek opinion or advice of another.

Control

Exercise restraining or governing influence over activities to accomplish planned results by (1) establishing standards, (2) measuring work in progress, (3) interpreting results, and (4) taking corrective action.

Coordinate

Combine (through balancing, timing, integrating) the efforts of separate groups to accomplish a specific objective; coordination can be exercised without line authority.

Counsel

Give advice and guidance to another.

Delegate

Entrust to another's care and management.

Determine

Obtain definite and firsthand knowledge of.

Develop

Advance programs, planning or personnel capabilities to a higher stage.

Direct

Authoritatively define, regulate or determine the activities of subordinate organizational units to achieve predetermined objectives.

Establish

Put into effect or determine conclusively.

Estimate

Gauge the probable amount or value of.

Execute

Put into effect according to a plan. (see ADMINISTER)

Follow-up

See that actions are carried out to the finish.

Formulate

Express in an exact or systematic form.

Guide

Show the way through the intermediate steps in a broad plan or course of action by advice or suggestion rather than by authoritative direction.

Initiate

Start, begin or introduce a program or action.

Interpret

Explain or clarify.

Issue

Send out or distribute officially.

Maintain

Keep in a state of efficiency or validity.

Manage

Plan, organize and control dissimilar functions to achieve coordinated objectives by leading and directing subordinates without giving detailed supervision. (see SUPERINTEND and SUPERVISE)

Motivate

Inspire and stimulate subordinates to maximize their efforts and productivity.

Negotiate

Reach agreement on specific proposals through discussion or communication with others of a different viewpoint.

Organize

Set up plans and procedures for achieving objectives.

Participate

Take part in and share responsibility with others for action, but without individual authority to take action.

Perform

Accomplish to completion.

Plan

Devise or determine a course of action to achieve a desired end result.

Prepare

Make ready for a specific purpose; put into written form.

Present

Offer for consideration.

Promote

Offer for consideration in a manner intended to attract favorable attention and influence acceptance or support.

Propose

Offer for acceptance or adoption.

Provide

Furnish necessary information or services.

Recommend

Offer for acceptance and support a course of action to persons responsible for approval or authorization.

Review

Critically examine (completed work, reports, performance) with a view to amendment or improvement.

Serve

Actively carry out duties within the framework of a specialized activity, such as a committee.

Superintend

Plan, organize and control a function to achieve an objective by leading and directing subordinates without giving detailed supervision. (see MANAGEMENT and SUPERVISE)

Supervise

Instruct subordinates in details of work they perform (either directly or by enforcement of well-established rules), allot work, observe performance in detail and work with subordinates to improve performance.