Q: How to write effective meeting notes or minutes?
A: Here are some tips:
- Unless you know shorthand, don’t try to write everything down verbatim
- Have a copy of any previous meeting minutes to hand
- Use a notebook
- Start on a fresh page, with the meeting name, date and attendees at the top
- Use only the right-hand page and leave spaces between each topic for the first pass
- Use topic headings
- Make notes on the key points under each topic as they are discussed
- Write clearly
- Go back and add to your existing notes if necessary – using the spaces you left originally, or using an area on the left-hand page opposite the original notes
- Use arrows to link or cross-reference your notes
- Highlight any agreed actions, with the delegated person’s initials
- If there are any previous meeting minutes, check off any brought forward actions that have been completed and note any other status updates
- At the end of the meeting and before you do anything else (so your memory is still fresh) review your notes – add extra details if anything is unclear
- If you’ve been tasked with producing the meeting minutes / notes, type up your notes as soon as possible after the meeting (again, so your memory is still fresh), using an agreed template if possible
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