Question

If you are leading a meeting, what can you create to make sure you don't forget anything that should be discussed in the meeting?

Answer 1

Create a clear meeting agenda (and a simple leader’s checklist). An agenda is the single best tool to make sure you don’t forget anything.

What to include in the agenda
- Meeting title, date, time, location/virtual link and attendees
- Purpose or objective (why you’re meeting)
- Desired outcomes or decisions needed (what must be resolved by the end)
- Ordered list of agenda items with time allocation and owner for each item
- Any pre-reads or materials with links and read-by date
- “Parking lot” for off-topic items to address later
- Time for summary, decisions, and assigning next steps
- Follow-up: next meeting date (if known) and who will distribute minutes/action list

Short sample agenda template
- Title, date/time, location/attendees
- Objective: [one-sentence goal]
- 1) Quick status & priorities (5 min) — Owner
- 2) Topic A: background, options, decision needed (15 min) — Owner
- 3) Topic B: discuss next steps (10 min) — Owner
- 4) Risks/blockers & resource needs (10 min) — Owner
- 5) Summary of decisions & assign actions (5 min)
- Parking lot / unresolved items

Leader’s quick checklist (before/during/after)
- Before: draft and send agenda + pre-reads at least 24–48 hrs before; assign roles (timekeeper, note-taker)
- During: start on time, stick to times, use parking lot, capture decisions and actions (owner + due date)
- After: send minutes/action list within 24 hours and track progress

Using a shared document or meeting template and assigning a note-taker makes this process easy to repeat.