Meetings consume time, resources and frequently prove inefficient. The following 4 questions help you assess whether a meeting is truly necessary or if an alternative approach might work better:
Question 1: Have you already dealt with the meeting topic in detail?
No: Take your time and work through the topic yourself: structure your thoughts, evaluate possible solutions and identify from whom you need which external input.
Yes: next question
Question 2: Do you need external input or decisions to continue with your project?
No: Begin your work. A meeting is not necessary!
Yes: next question
Question 3: Is real-time discussion necessary?
No: Send an e-mail to the people concerned and request their input. In your e-mail, clearly communicate which inputs you need and by when.
Yes: next question
Question 4: Is a personal Face-2-Face discussion necessary?
No: Then arrange a telephone call or a video conference.
Yes: Send out an invitation for the meeting.
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Photo Credit: Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. “Open Door meeting, 1929
