> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.tability.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.tability.io/docs/become-a-tability-power-user/features/managing-initiatives.md).

# Initiatives

## Overview

{% embed url="<https://www.loom.com/share/cfb20cea270f47ba9ccd83b3f6c330af>" %}

Tability lets your team focus on their outcomes, not outputs. But there's still benefits to understanding how the tactical day-to-day work is impacting your key results. Tability lets you show that work and keep your initiatives up to date in a lightweight and relevant way without adding a lot of bulk to your OKR process.

{% hint style="info" %}
We'll use the term "initiatives" throughout, but you can customise your terminology to fit your process. More details on customising terms [here](/docs/become-a-tability-power-user/features/workspace-settings/customise-terms.md).
{% endhint %}

## How to set initiatives

All initiatives in Tability must be assigned to a key result. You can create your initiatives under your key results in one of three places:

### When creating the plan

After creating a key result, you can hit enter and tab to create initiatives. You can assign the initiative to a member of your team and set a due date for the initiative at this time. If you need a little help coming up with initiatives for your key results, you can also generate them with AI by hitting the **Generate initiatives** button.

<figure><img src="/files/vQCiFSLxKDXhASnh2BFe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### From the plan dashboard

If you've already published your plan, you can create your intiatives from the main plan dashboard. Click the **>** to the left of the key result you'd like to assign an initative to and click **+ Add initative.** Here you can add an initiative the same was as above, or you can import multiple initiatives at once (by typing or pasting into the import field— one initiative per line).

<figure><img src="/files/HZkjkAn4EEdFRjq5tiGs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you want to generate initiatives with AI, you can click on the key result you'd like to generate them for, then scroll to the bottom initiatives section to generate them:<br>

<figure><img src="/files/2FqmfzDchdTery1gvcYx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### When writing your check-in

You can also add initiatives when you are updating your progress. On the right side of the check-in screen, you'll see an initiatives section. You can mark your initiatives as complete by clicking the circle or add or generate new initiatives from that screen as well:

<figure><img src="/files/xZzFvjJRqelZ3BJRrdv8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Updating your initiatives

You can update the status of your initiatives from the drop down on the right of the initiative (with the exception of when you're doing a check-in. At that time, initiatives can only be created or marked as complete). The statuses are able to be customised in your admin settings ([more info here](/docs/become-a-tability-power-user/features/workspace-settings/customise-terms.md)).

<figure><img src="/files/0zbSO4AADJDPpsfB3io2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you'd like to provide more details (links out to designs or drafts, a description of why something is blocked), you can create a full status update that includes a comment by clicking on the initiative and clicking **New status update**

<figure><img src="/files/OMLlMCPxr1AyHlCkRIRD" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### The Initiatives tab

You can quickly and easily update your initiatives in a few different views from the Initiatives tab as well. The initiatives tab will default to the kanban board view, and you can drag your initiatives from one status to another or click into them for status updates from here.

<figure><img src="/files/KoQiKINw5bsNjud48CAu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can also choose from the Listing view (which will display the initiatives in a list sorted by key result) or a Timeline view (which displays initiatives by due date)

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="/files/U5N8EM8OnvSeOR5tqiv9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

<figure><img src="/files/KMUuONSx4uJefexk36Cf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Managing statuses

The statuses for initaitives are meant to match your team's workflow and can be customised by admins in the admin settings under **Customise**.

That said, if your team is just getting started with tracking initiatives, we've put together this quick reference guide:

**Tability Initiative Statuses**

**Backlog** — The initiative has been captured but no one is working on it yet. It's parked and waiting to be prioritized. Good for ideas and future work you're not ready to schedule.

**Planned** — The initiative has been scheduled and someone intends to work on it, but work hasn't started. Think of it as "on deck."

**Design** — The initiative is in an exploration or design phase before execution begins. Useful for work that needs scoping, wireframing, or spec work before it can be built.

**In Progress** — Actively being worked on. This is the main active state for most initiatives.

**In Review** — Work is done but waiting on someone to review, approve, or verify it before it can be closed. Common handoff point between a doer and a decision-maker (or an agent and a human).

**Ready** — The initiative is complete and validated, ready to be shipped, deployed, or handed off. Distinct from "done" in that it may still need a final step to fully close out.

**Blocked** — Work has stalled because something is preventing progress — a dependency, a missing decision, a resource gap. The owner can't move forward without outside help.

**Done** — Completed successfully. The initiative is closed with a positive outcome.

**Abandoned** — Closed without completion. The initiative was deprioritized, deemed no longer relevant, or found to be out of scope. Not a failure necessarily — just a deliberate decision to stop.

***

The rough flow is: **Backlog → Planned → (Design →) In Progress → In Review → Ready → Done**, with **Blocked** as a detour at any active stage and **Abandoned** as an exit at any point.