Creativity happens when it happens, right? Wrong. When working with a team, design in a business setting needs to be structured to get the best results. Learn to write a good agenda to make your project meetings go smoothly and set the team up for a win.
We've had our share of bad meetings at ZURB and the worst are the ones that drift around and produce only mediocre results. Why is it that the longer the meeting lasts, the less results you'll have in the end? It's because there's no roadmap for how the meeting will go, and collaboration works best when people are prepared.
Creating a Plan
When you're putting together a meeting agenda, make sure there is homework tied to it somehow. Indebt every participant to prepare their homework ahead of the meeting and involve only those who've done it in decision making.
During the meeting, write down goals on a whiteboard. Make your agenda a performance, not just a bulleted list of points to read aloud. Don't be afraid to act a little silly to keep everyone's attention — making a meeting feel lighthearted will keep people motivated and energized.
To keep the meeting's length under control, timebox each part of the agenda. Leave time, however, to build in a fun surprise or two— perhaps an impromptu visual sketch supporting a new idea.
Wrapping It Up
Make sure you have a set of assignments to hand out at the end of the meeting. Keep them in your pocket until the meeting is over, because they're meant to be future homework, not problems to solve during the meeting.
The final key to a productive, agenda-led meeting? Finish early! Nothing gets people more excited than leaving a meeting early!
