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In a business context, a silo is a department or task force that works on a specific project or area of the business independently (often with minimal if any contact) from other silos. I have a list of tasks, which need to be split up so they can be distributed among the various silos in the business.

I am going to word the tasks.

I am wording the tasks.

The tasks have been worded.

What is word?

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  • Do you mean that the list needs to be split up into a number of tasks, or that individual tasks need to be further subdivided?
    – Spagirl
    Jun 1, 2016 at 9:38
  • @Spagirl that the list needs to be separated into several smaller lists, not that the tasks need to be themselves subdivided.
    – Benubird
    Jun 1, 2016 at 10:04
  • You could just use divided? Jun 1, 2016 at 10:11
  • 2
    When in doubt (in business English), verb the noun.
    – Hot Licks
    Jun 1, 2016 at 12:20

5 Answers 5

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You can try apportion.

Definition by Merriam Webster

to divide and share out (something) according to a plan

You can also use allocate

definition by Merriam Webster

to divide and give out something for a special reason or to particular persons, things, companies, etc.

Other options are:

I am going to delegate the tasks.

I am commissioning the tasks.

I have assigned the tasks.

Please look up all these words for their synonyms.

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I don't want to come rushing in as Captain Obvious, but silo is also a verb:

Isolate (one system, process, department, etc.) from others

So, if you really want to end up with "silos" then go ahead:

  1. I am going to silo the tasks.
  2. I am siloing the tasks.
  3. The tasks have been siloed.
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  • I don't think this is appropriate, because it implies the creation of silos - I am looking for a word to describe the distribution of tasks among pre-existing silos.
    – Benubird
    Jun 1, 2016 at 10:32
  • No problem. Although the dictionary definition states the isolation of tasks. Whether the silo already exists or not is not implied. My other alternative (already answered) would be to agree with "allocate".
    – Ste
    Jun 1, 2016 at 10:34
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You can partition the tasks.

Partition verb Divide into parts - ODO

In your sample usage, you can use the word as follows:

  • I am going to partition the tasks.
  • I am partitioning the tasks.
  • The tasks have been partitioned.

Here is an example of the word in context, with the idea of splitting up work that would be done independently:

The principle of partitioning tasks among product development teams so as to minimize the cost of interactions across design teams is an important characteristic of complex engineered systems. - Dan Braha, PARTITIONING TASKS TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAMS

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CompartmentalizeM-W

verb to separate into isolated compartments or categories
"The company has compartmentalized its services."

See synonyms on M-W

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You can use "silo" as a verb.

I am going to silo the tasks.

I am siloing the tasks.

I have siloed the tasks.

Even though spellcheck is choking on siloed: "Siloed is defined as to have put something into a silo." (http://www.yourdictionary.com/siloed)

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