What is a meeting agenda
Definition: A meeting agenda is a document that outlines topics to be discussed during a meeting. It should include time allocated for each topic/subject, and the person responsible for discussing it.
Elements of a meeting agenda
Meeting agendas include several key elements to help ensure the meeting runs smoothly and achieves its goals.
These elements can include:
- Meeting purpose: Clearly stated up front to help participants understand the meeting's objectives and focus. It should also provide them with enough context to gain familiarity before taking their seats at the meeting.
- Time allotment for each topic: The meeting agenda can list the amount of time that will be allocated for each topic or discussion point. This will help keep the meeting on track and prevent unnecessary delays or distractions.
- List of meeting attendees: Meeting agendas typically include a list of meeting attendees, along with any necessary contact information and project roles. This ensures everyone has broad context for the meeting, whether they are attending in person or remotely.
- Discussion points or action items: In addition to time allotments, meeting agendas often include discussion points or action items to be addressed during the meeting. These meeting minutes include questions for attendees to discuss, tasks that need to be completed, topics to brainstorm, and other relevant information.
How to write a meeting agenda?
A meeting agenda includes key meeting objectives, discussion topics, and any required materials or information.
Start by identifying the meeting's purpose and desired outcomes, then brainstorm possible discussion topics that are relevant to those goals.
When you have a list of potential discussion points, prioritize them based on their importance or relevance to meeting objectives.
Clarify open questions or unclear topics ahead of time, and consider assigning roles or responsibilities to participants in advance. This keeps the meeting on track and ensures that everyone has an opportunity to contribute.
Once you have a draft, share it with all meeting participants in advance, so that they can come prepared with any necessary materials or information.
Example of a meeting agenda
December 5th Content Strategy Meeting Agenda
Project Name: Content Marketing
Purpose: Onboard all the team members and discuss content marketing strategy.
Kickoff date: 5th December
Project manager: Alie Collins
Participants: Eric Sinclair, Miles Archer, Irene Green, Nicol Lessing, and Michael Tomovich
Meeting agenda:
Introduction (3 minutes) – Alie
Strategy presentation (10 minutes) – Alie and Eric
- Goals and KPIs
Project plan presentation (5 minutes) – Eric
- Timeline
- Deliverables
- Reports
Scope overview (5 minutes) – Eric
- Budget
- Action items
- Deliverables
Analytics and tracking (3 minutes) – Michael
Roles and responsibilities (5 minutes) – Alie
Q&A (15 minutes)
Attached files:
- Strategy presentation
- Project plan
- Campaign brief
The level of detail will depend on the meeting type, organization structure, and complexity of the matter discussed. I.e., the agenda for the one-on-one daily meeting will be different from the weekly team meeting agenda.
Regardless of the meeting type, the agenda should be concise and straightforward, with enough time for effective discussion and brainstorming.
Advantages of using meeting agendas
Meeting agendas are an essential part of effective project management, and can help ensure that meetings are productive and efficient.
There are several key advantages to using meeting agendas:
- Clearly defining meeting objectives and goals, enabling more focused discussion and decision-making.
- Establishing meeting rules and expectations upfront, reducing the risk of disruptions or distractions during the meeting.
- Providing a roadmap for meeting participants, so everyone is on the same page, and contributing to meeting discussions in a productive manner.
- Offering a framework for meeting notes and action items, making it easier to follow up on meeting outcomes and track progress.
Disadvantages of using meeting agendas
Besides numerous benefits, meeting agendas may be too rigid or structured, which can hinder the discussion process and make it difficult to adapt to changing circumstances.
They often focus on meeting timeframes and outcomes, and as a result, may not allow adequate time for brainstorming or more creative thinking.
To overcome these disadvantages, meeting participants should:
- Be flexible and adaptable when using meeting agendas.
- Focusing on meeting objectives rather than meeting timeframes or outcomes.
- Provide adequate time for exploration and brainstorming.
Organizations and teams can better leverage the benefits of meeting agendas while avoiding these pitfalls.
