The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right

Close the Meeting

At the end of the meeting, deal with the action items, ensuring that each one is described unambiguously and has an assigned owner and a target for completion. If there are topics that were deferred to the “parking lot” or “bucket” list,” decide how you are going to deal with them. If there will be a subsequent meeting with the same group, confirm the date, time, and place, and note any topics that will be on that meeting’s agenda. Take time to review what has been accomplished, using the recorder’s notes, and end each meeting positively.

It is also good practice to evaluate meetings. If you failed to reach any of the intended outcomes of the meeting, briefly discuss why not and what to do about it. Request specific suggestions ...