In a word: YES!
Developing a “time line” or “task list” and ensuring that people assigned to each task are held accountable is tantamount to ensuring the successful execution of a meeting or special event.
Once you have defined your meeting/event goals and objectives and identified your key audience (commonly referred to as an Overall Meeting Action Plan), selected a core group of experts (your Design or Planning Team) to assist in implementing your PLAN, and communicated levels of authority for how the team is expected to function, the development of a Meeting Time Line is the next order of business.
A Meeting Time Line will keep you and your team on task and on time. A Meeting Time Line is date sensitive; the tasks are many. And, follow up is fundamental to making sure your meeting or event goes off without a hitch.
Whether you have mere weeks, six months or a year or more to plan a meeting or event, it just cannot be done successfully without first having an agreed upon PLAN and a task list of everything that must be done in proper sequence and by when and by whom each task is to be completed.
I really found this to be true when my husband and I were planning our wedding. With just three weeks lead time (yes, just three weeks), there was no time to spare. Now, I will give you that it was a small, very private wedding with family only -- the details were still many. But, we had our PLAN, we had our task list and we followed up and communicated regularly.
The day flowed like clockwork and the stress just wasn’t there. It’s been seven years now and we’re still SMILING (well most of the time) and you will be, too, if you just take the time to think your projects through first.
Whether you’re planning a corporate or association meeting or your very own wedding, a book launch, building your dream house, planning a major renovation or planning a trip around the world you need to:
· CREATE your PLAN.
· SURROUND yourself with the best possible team of experts.
· DEFINE levels of authority.
· DEVELOP a task list/time line.
· KEEP everyone accountable.
· MEET regularly, keep good notes and don’t forget or hesitate to follow up on missed assignments.
The rewards are sure to follow. ENJOY!
Mary Jo Wiseman, CMP | Author, “The Meeting Planning Process: A Guide to Planning Successful Meetings”
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