The objectives established for the meeting drive what?

• A. The duration
• B. The seating arrangement
• C. The location
• D. The agenda and outcomes

Answer: (D)

Setting the objectives for a meeting determines what you want to accomplish and, in turn, shapes the agenda and the expected results. When you know the goals, you can design the agenda to cover the necessary topics, questions, and decision points, and you can define the outcomes you’re aiming for by the end—such as a specific decision, a plan, or assigned action items. While logistics like how long the meeting lasts, where people sit, or where it’s located are important, they’re secondary to ensuring the meeting is structured to achieve its stated aims; they exist to support the agenda that stems from the objectives.