Productive meetings: An evidence review

Meetings are an essential part of most people’s working lives, providing a forum to collaborate, share individual thoughts and consider team and organisational ideas. But they can often multiply and become so ever-present that they feel unnecessary, monotonous and exhausting.

Unnecessary or poorly planned meetings can be detrimental to employee wellbeing and performance. However, when attendees see meetings as effective, they are more likely to attend them, hold positive attitudes towards them and display positive behaviours during them. 

This evidence review draws on the best available evidence to explore the importance of meeting effectiveness, and the success factors that managers and people professionals should consider.

• See the practice summary for the main insights and practical recommendations for action. 
• See the scientific summary for our methodology and technical information on the research and study references.