Discuss the need, or lack of need, for an agenda in various types of groups. When is an agenda most useful? What should be included in an agenda?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: An agenda is an itemized listing of what the group should devote its attention to. In some cases, the supervisor or consultant or CEO prepares the agenda and simply presents it to the group; the group is then expected to follow the agenda item by item. In other cases, the group will develop its own agenda, usually as its first or second order of business. Generally, the more formal the group, the more important the agenda becomes. In informal groups the agenda may simply consist of general ideas in the minds of the members (for example, “We’ll review the class assignment and then make plans for the weekend”). In formal business groups the agenda will be much more detailed and explicit. Some agendas specify not only the items that must be covered but also the order in which they should be covered and even the amount of time that should be devoted to each item.