Tip

When planning your agenda, allocate 10-20% of the meeting time for wrap-up. Use this time to summarize key decisions, assign action items, confirm follow-up meetings, and ensure everyone is clear on next steps.

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Details

When creating a meeting agenda, it’s easy to focus on filling the time with discussion points and overlook the importance of planning time to wrap up. Yet the final minutes of a meeting are often the most critical. Without a structured close, participants may leave uncertain about what was decided, who owns specific tasks, or what comes next.

Building in dedicated wrap-up time allows the meeting leader to summarize key decisions, confirm assigned action items, and set clear expectations for follow-through. It’s also the right moment to agree on timelines or schedule any necessary follow-up meetings. This not only strengthens accountability but also reinforces alignment, ensuring that everyone leaves with the same understanding of outcomes and responsibilities.

A well-planned close transforms a meeting from a conversation into a catalyst for action. By reserving just a few minutes at the end of the agenda, you increase the likelihood that decisions will be implemented, and momentum will carry forward beyond the meeting itself.