You're tasked with overseeing debrief sessions. How can you ensure they are thorough and on schedule?

To ensure debrief sessions are thorough and on schedule, I would first develop a structured agenda with specific timeframes for each topic or individual. This agenda would be shared in advance to allow participants to prepare. I would facilitate the session with a focus on active listening, asking probing questions to elicit details, and encouraging open communication. To maintain the schedule, I would gently redirect any tangents or overly long discussions back to the agenda. Additionally, I would designate someone to take detailed notes to ensure nothing important is missed. Lastly, I would allocate time at the end for summarization and action item identification to ensure everyone is aligned on key takeaways and next steps.

I think it’s all about striking a balance between structure and flexibility. Start with a clear agenda—outline key points and set time limits for each, but leave room for critical discussions that may need extra attention. Share this agenda beforehand so everyone comes prepared. During the session, facilitate actively—ask the right questions to keep things focused, but don’t stifle important input. If conversations start to drift, gently bring them back on track. Having someone dedicated to taking notes is crucial to capture important details, and ending with a summary and clear action points ensures everyone leaves aligned and ready to act.