How to run a stand-up meeting?
Each meeting (even a small one) requires dedication and management experience. Here are 7 simplified do’s and don’ts to make the most of stand-ups and keep your initiatives running smoothly.
Tip 1: But still – standing literally?
In the traditional stand-up format, the teammates look for a way to overcome roadblocks while standing around the meeting room – no chairs or tables are required. Nevertheless, experimenting with different locations and techniques is highly recommended as it creates a cozy atmosphere and increases the energy even more. Adopt Steven Job’s habit if you desire to boost creative thinking and open up the free flow of ideas – hold a stand-up meeting while walking.
Tip 2: Stay on track – keep approach in mind
As each team operates as a unique mosaic, with its own nuances, dynamics and system players, it’s important to accept the fact that there is no cookie-cutter format for stand-up meetings. However, we recommend the round robin method (also known as the go-around tactic), where each team member takes a turn to contribute their thoughts and comments. This is an excellent strategy to motivate all participants to excel in what is expected of them.
Tip 3: The pillar of effective stand-ups
The best way to keep get-togethers efficient and affable is to establish a simple rule – everything matters – as even a short brainstorming could result in suggesting spontaneous ideas by removing inhibitions. Note them down without criticism and evaluate after the meeting. Remember that people tend to be more honest about their ideas and views when all participants operate at an equal level. Even though stand-ups are designed to address certain topics, employees should not be punished if ingenious solutions begin to form – encourage them to continue discussing online or during a coffee break.
Tip 4: Don’t let things wander off the course
Forget about seeing your projects from a wider scope: the main goal of the stand-ups is to quickly touch base, determine main requirements and receive feedback by talking face to face. The process itself must stick to the time frame (15 minutes or less), thus forcing teams into brevity. In order to make your workflow well-organized, schedule stand-up meetings at the same time each day (for example, in the morning). As a result, all the participants will be concise and prepared.
Tip 5: Check on the progress
When you establish a task, it’s rather crucial to receive status updates and make sure everything is going well. Since stand-ups are short, everyone should stay consistent. Here is a list of questions to set the ball rolling and balance time-awareness:
- What tasks have you accomplished?
- Do you have any tasks still in progress? What obstacles or blockers are preventing you from completing them?
- Do you need any assistance?
- What are you going to work on today?
- What interesting solutions or key findings would you like to share?
If every attendee has a sense of what questions will be covered during the stand-up, the discussion of in-progress or implemented tasks will not take long. Share the list with your employees so that they can describe their updates promptly and concisely.
Tip 6: Choose a leader
It’s difficult to imagine a high-energy stand-up without a person who understands the importance of the events and implies a deliberate effort to rally the troops. A huge mistake frequently made while planning stand-ups is to put executive and corporate concerns over all else. The leader facilitating the meeting should pay close attention to the current topics and participants’ mood, helping teammates stay on track but not bothering them.
Tip 7: Remote teammates
Remote work is still different from the typical work structure in a few ways, despite its growth in popularity over the past decade. Communication remains an obvious obstacle, as employees are not physically in the office and feel isolated. In this case, video conferencing comes in handy, enabling long-distance interaction and promoting overall collaboration without requiring constant travel!
