what are the characteristics of a well constructed agenda?

Answer 1

It should include a statement about the purpose of the meeting, right at the top.

It should include the name of the meeting's chair.

If you're going to discuss a variety of issues, each of those issues should be listed separately.

If different people are leading the various presentations or discussions, for these various topics or issues, the leader of the presentation or discussion should be noted, next to the topic.

Each topic should be provided with a specific time-span that is sufficient to allow the topic to be introduced and/or presented, as well as discussed.

Of course, the agenda should be distributed in advance of the meeting, but hard copies of the agenda should be available AT the meeting, in case the attendees did not bring their own copies with them.

The agenda should be FOLLOWED. That means that there should be a time-keeper, who keeps the meeting on schedule. This time-keeper could be the chairperson or it could be someone who simply warns the chairperson, when the time for each topic is almost up.

Answer 2

Clarity. Focus. Balance. Flow.