Definition
Managing meetings involves the structured planning, execution, and follow-up of group discussions to achieve specific objectives. This process includes defining the meeting's purpose, identifying necessary participants, creating an agenda, facilitating productive conversation, and documenting outcomes and action items. Effective meeting management ensures that time is used efficiently, decisions are made clearly, and tasks are assigned and tracked. For instance, a project manager might schedule a weekly status meeting to review progress, identify roadblocks, and assign next steps to team members. This differs from simply holding a meeting, as it emphasizes control over the entire lifecycle to maximize value and avoid unproductive discussions. Concepts related to meeting management often appear in project management certifications like PMP and CAPM.