| Are you a project manager who facilitates meetings? | | | | Another helpful idea is to invite on the minimum |
| Do you have trouble keeping them going the right | | | | number of people that you need to accomplish the |
| direction so that the objectives are met? Running an | | | | objectives of your meeting. Too many people can |
| effective meeting will keep your project and career | | | | derail a meeting with too many competing ideas. |
| on track. Project management is not easy, and | | | | Sending agendas and other materials out to the |
| neither is running a meeting. If you can effectively | | | | attendants of the meeting beforehand can make a |
| run a meeting you'll be one step ahead as you move | | | | meeting run much smoother. This will help you |
| forward with your project. | | | | approach the points you need to cover, quicker. The |
| You need to decide what you want to get out of | | | | participants will come to the meeting with a better |
| the meeting before you go in to the meeting - a | | | | idea of what needs to be accomplished and what |
| defined set of goals, written down is the best and | | | | questions they need to be asking. |
| most effective way to accomplish this. This one | | | | Once the meeting is over, make sure you write up |
| simple act will help you get exactly what you need | | | | an abstract with the decisions made. This will recap |
| out of the meeting despite all the politics and | | | | the meeting so that everyone involved is aware of |
| conflicts of the meeting stakeholders. | | | | the outcomes. Give all participants a chance to make |
| The next thing you should do is think through every | | | | corrections as needed. |
| stakeholder's agenda and expectations. Each | | | | If you start with a plan, you'll come out with a |
| stakeholder has different expectations and will often | | | | successful meeting and get buy in from all involved. |
| want to focus on these. Having a set agenda can | | | | Be prepared for minor setbacks during and after |
| help to organize the important high points in the | | | | since you will certainly run into conflicts. |
| meeting. | | | | |