open · Team Building · 10–20 min · 2-40 people · medium energy
Visual Agenda
The Visual Agenda replaces a standard text-based agenda with a large, colorful, and hand-drawn or digitally created visual representation of the meeting's objectives and steps, increasing engagement and recall. It signals the meeting's importance and encourages participants to actively review the plan.
When to use Visual Agenda
Use this method at the start of any meeting, especially those involving cross-functional teams or complex topics, to immediately capture attention and set a positive, engaging tone.
What it solves
Low engagement with traditional agendas, lack of clarity about meeting objectives, and difficulty recalling key discussion points after the meeting.
How to run Visual Agenda, step by step
- Define the desired outcomes and create a detailed agenda. (5 minutes)
- Choose a visual metaphor or theme that aligns with the meeting's purpose or the organization's brand. (5 minutes)
- Draw or create the agenda visually on a large sheet of paper or using presentation software, incorporating the chosen theme and clear labels for each step. (Ongoing)
Materials needed
- Large paper or digital presentation software
- Markers or digital drawing tools
- Examples of visual agendas (optional)
Facilitator tips
- Involve participants in creating the visual agenda to increase buy-in.
- Use clear and concise language in the visual elements.
- Consider the room layout when deciding on the size and placement of the visual agenda.
Common pitfalls
- Spending too much time on the artistic aspects and neglecting the clarity of the agenda.
- Failing to connect the visual theme to the meeting's purpose.
- Making the agenda too complex or cluttered, which can be overwhelming.
Variations
- Use different visual styles, such as mind maps or storyboards.
- Incorporate interactive elements, such as sticky notes or polls, to gather feedback on the agenda.
- Create a collaborative visual agenda with input from all participants.
Running it online or hybrid
Share the visual agenda digitally via screen share or collaboration tools like Miro or Mural.
What it produces
A visually appealing agenda displayed prominently, either physically or digitally.
Origin
Inspired by The Grove's practice of visual agendas — source
Build a session around Visual Agenda
METODIC places Visual Agenda inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.