Summarize messy comment threads instantly

Lucas January 29, 2026 3 min read

A task hits 20 comments and your team stops doing the work. They start debating it. New people join the thread, ask the same questions, and the discussion loops forever because nobody knows what was decided.

The manager's job is to close the loop. In 10 minutes, write one Final decision note at the top, assign owners, and turn the thread into next actions.

The 10-minute breakdown

3 mins: Skim for the real choice
4 mins: Write the Final decision note
3 mins: Convert it into next actions

The 10-minute fix

1. Skim for the real choice (3 minutes)

Scroll the thread and look for the moment the conversation split into options. Ignore the opinions and find the decision that actually needs to be made.

Ask yourself: what is the smallest yes or no that would unblock the work today? That is the decision you will write down.

Quick shortcut: look for phrases like "we should", "do we", "can we", "I think", and "blocked". Those usually mark the point where the thread stopped being updates and turned into a decision.

2. Write the Final decision note (4 minutes)

Add a short note at the top of the task (or as a new comment with FINAL DECISION at the start) so nobody has to re-read 20 messages.

Copy this template and fill it in:

Final decision: [what we are doing]
Why: [one sentence]
Decider: [name]
Effective: [today's date]
Not doing: [what we are not doing]

Example:

Final decision: ship the new pricing page with the simpler headline
Why: it matches the ad copy and reduces support questions
Decider: Sam
Effective: today
Not doing: a full rewrite of the layout this sprint

One extra rule stops re-opening the debate: "Reply only if you have new information that changes the decision." Everything else becomes a task.

3. Convert it into next actions (3 minutes)

Turn the decision into 2 to 5 concrete tasks with owners and due dates. If you cannot name an owner, the decision is not real yet.

Use an action plan structure: next step, owner, deadline, done definition. Then paste the checklist into the task so everyone sees what happens next.

Example checklist:

1) Update headline (Owner: Alex, Due: tomorrow)
2) QA on mobile (Owner: Priya, Due: tomorrow)
3) Publish change (Owner: Sam, Due: Friday)
4) Notify support (Owner: Jordan, Due: Friday)