A large part of working life is spent in meetings, so it’s important that this time is used productively. A survey in 2018 for the Independent newspaper revealed that business meetings in the UK, France and Germany were far from optimal. Employees in these countries spent an average of 23 working days a year in meetings, and felt that nearly 60% of these were unproductive. Shockingly, nearly a quarter had witnessed someone falling asleep during a meeting. Whilst business meetings are often scheduled for an hour or more, the consensus was that 40 minutes is the optimum length.
 
To ensure a productive project meeting, always have someone nominated as the chair, responsible for running it according to the tried and trusted process described here.

This process ensures that:
- The meeting remains focused on the desired outcomes
- Decisions are made after relevant information has been shared
- All attendees have the opportunity to put forward their point of view, without feeling intimidated
- There has been a thorough debate
- Decisions and actions are influenced by consensus

See also Meeting Invitations.