Meeting Agendas
If there is no desired outcome, it should be an email. Agendas force purpose, prep, and timeboxes.
Workflow
- Outcome: decide / inform / explore / workshop.
- Attendees: who must be present vs optional; decline advice if wrong forum.
- Prep materials and owners due before the meeting.
- Timeboxed topics; hardest decision early when energy is high.
- Explicit decision capture and owners for follow-ups.
- End with parking lot policy.
Output format
# Agenda: <title>
**When / length:** …
**Outcome:** …
**Attendees:** required / optional
**Prep (before meeting):** …
| Time | Topic | Goal | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
## Decision questions
1. …
## Notes template
- Decisions:
- Actions:
Rules
- Every topic has a goal (decide/input/FYI).
- FYI-only content → pre-read, not meeting centerpiece.
- Default 25/50 minute lengths when flexible.
- Do not overload; cut topics rather than shrink to useless slots.
- Name the decision maker for decision meetings.
- Offer async alternative when a meeting is unnecessary.
Edge cases
- Customer calls: agenda still useful; share appropriately.
- Recurring syncs: standing sections + variable deep dive.
- Large workshops: facilitation notes and breakouts.