Many meetings exist for one reason only: to get the agreement of three or four people. We bring them together for an hour, when it would be enough to have them read a page.
The one-page memo
The person who owns the decision writes, on one page at most:
- the question, in one sentence;
- the two or three options considered, with their cost;
- their recommendation, and why;
- the deadline for comments.
The memo is sent to the people concerned. If there is no objection by the deadline, the decision is made.
Why it works
Writing forces you to clarify your thinking: half of all memos get simpler while being written. Reading happens when each person chooses, and the decision leaves a trace you can find three months later.
When to keep the meeting
When the topic is contentious, or when the options are not yet known. In that case, the meeting is for exploring, and the memo comes afterwards.
