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A well-designed board meeting agenda is a must-have tool for efficient meetings. A well-designed agenda does not guarantee a productive meeting or decision. Board leaders need to be aware of the most common mistakes that could hinder the effectiveness of meetings in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

A plethora of subjects on the agenda can lead to rushed discussions, and not enough time is allotted for each item. Prioritize the items based on urgency and importance. It is also possible to consider the possibility of deferring certain topics to later meetings of the board or committee to allow for more detailed discussion.

Allocate specific time limits for each agenda item. This will ensure that your board is on track and that all issues are considered. Be realistic in your time estimates and look at your past experiences with meetings that were scheduled to determine what is truly feasible within one meeting.

Share the board meeting agenda at least a few days, or at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. This allows board members to review relevant documents prior to the meeting. Some organizations have the form of sign-in to confirm the attendance.

Define clearly how decision-making should be conducted for each agenda item, for example by consensus or vote. This will reduce confusion during discussions. If the topic is controversial or a hot issue be sure to state that the board will be voting unanimously instead of dividing votes.