A meeting becomes more useful when participants know the outcome being sought. Some meetings share information; others resolve a question or coordinate work. Confusing these purposes can leave everyone unsure what happened. Write the desired outcome and the questions that need discussion. Share the relevant background in advance when possible. During the meeting, distinguish proposals from decisions and record who owns each agreed action. Check deadlines with the people responsible. An agenda for choosing a project topic might compare feasibility, available time, and learning value. It need not cover every possible idea. If a decision cannot be made, record the missing information and how it will be obtained. Practice: Create a three-item agenda for a real discussion. End it with a space for decisions, owners, and next steps.