What Is an Agenda? Methods for Creating a Good Agenda

In the current 4.0 era, an agenda is an important tool to control time, increase efficiency, and enhance the quality of operations. So, what is an agenda? Let's learn about agendas with Aniday through this article.

What Is the Definition of an Agenda?

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Agenda is of Latin origin, meaning "something to be done." In the modern context, an agenda is understood as a detailed plan of what needs to be done in a certain period of time. An agenda usually includes the following information:

Title

Clearly state the topic, goals, and desired outcomes of the activity.

Time

Determine the start and end times of the activity, as well as the duration of each content and activity in the agenda.

Location

Specify where the activity takes place (a specific address or an online platform)

Participants

List the names, positions, roles, and responsibilities of the people involved or organizing the activity

Content

Divide into small sections (including titles, descriptions of content to be discussed, presented, or implemented, questions, opinions, information, data, or specific actions)

Schedule

Arrange content in order of priority, logic, and relevance. May include periods of time for breaks, meals, or socializing

Problems

Identify and address any difficulties, risks, or challenges that may arise during the activity, which may include questions, comments, or feedback from participants

What Are the Steps to Create an Agenda?

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Ways to create an effective agenda. Source: Freepik

To create a good agenda, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Set the Title

The title of an agenda template is important for attracting the attention of meeting attendees. The title must clearly state the purpose, object, and content of the meeting in a short and concise manner.

Step 2: Clearly State the Time, Location, and Participants

This information helps participants better prepare for the activity and avoid confusion or missing out. You should clearly state start and end dates, hours, minutes, the location, and participants' positions and contact information.

Step 3: Present the Content

To prepare for a successful meeting, you need a clear and detailed agenda. The agenda is a list of topics to be discussed during the meeting, along with the time allotted for each topic and the person in charge. Break down topics into smaller sections, arranged in order of priority and time.

Step 4: Mention the Schedule

The schedule is a summary of the content and time of the activity. You can use a table or chart to present the schedule clearly and visually. The schedule may also include time for breaks, meals, or socializing.

Step 5: Solve Problems

An important part of operational planning is identifying and resolving potential problems, risks, or difficulties that may be encountered. You can use a checklist or table to outline potential problems, along with ways to solve or avoid them.

Step 6: Check for Errors

A good agenda is a well-written agenda. After you finish writing, review the agenda's content. Pay attention to errors in spelling, grammar, or word usage. Ensure that the information in the agenda is accurate, complete, and up to date. You can also ask someone else with expertise or relevant experience to read through it and provide comments or suggestions for your agenda.

How to Distinguish an Agenda from Some Other Terms?

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Thanks to Agenda, schedule management is convenient. Source: TechRepublic

However, an agenda can be confused with several other terms such as:

  • Minutes: Minutes are a record of what happened in the activity, including contents, decisions, conclusions, and follow-up actions. Minutes are drafted after the activity ends and are sent to participants for follow-up and implementation.
  • Action Plan: An action plan is a detailed plan of what to do after the activity ends, including goals, tasks, responsible people, deadlines, and evaluation criteria. Action plans are created based on the results of activities and sent to relevant people for implementation and monitoring.
  • Checklist: A checklist is a list of tasks to do before, during, and after the activity. Checklists help you control small details and avoid missing or forgetting important things.

Sample Agendas

Below, Aniday will share a few agenda samples:

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Vietnamese Agenda sample. Source: Biology major - HCMUS

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English Agenda sample. Source: Microsoft Create
In conclusion, understanding "what is an agenda" and mastering the methods for creating a good agenda is essential in the modern era. Aniday hopes this article is helpful for you.