Business arising on an agenda refers to the review of items discussed in a prior meeting that require further action. It's a structured way to track progress and provide direction on tasks that haven't been completed.
Understanding Business Arising
The "business arising" section of a meeting agenda is crucial for maintaining continuity and accountability. It ensures that decisions made and actions agreed upon in previous meetings are followed up on. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Key Aspects
- Reviewing Past Discussions: The primary goal is to revisit items that were discussed in prior meetings that led to action points.
- Tracking Progress: This segment allows a check on the current status of assigned tasks. Have they started? Are they on track? Have any issues arisen?
- Providing Guidance: If tasks are not progressing as expected, this is the time to provide further instructions, address hurdles, and offer support.
- Documentation: Any updates, decisions, or guidance given during the business arising discussion are recorded in the meeting minutes to ensure transparency and to provide a reference for future meetings.
How It Works
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify Items: Review the minutes from the previous meeting. Highlight action items that need follow-up. |
| 2 | Report Progress: Individuals assigned tasks report on the current status of their work. |
| 3 | Discuss Issues: Any roadblocks or issues encountered are openly discussed to find solutions. |
| 4 | Provide Guidance: Based on the progress and issues reported, additional guidance is provided. |
| 5 | Minute Actions: All progress updates and new instructions are clearly minuted to maintain accountability. |
Example Scenarios
- Project Updates: If a project was initiated at the last meeting, the responsible team would provide an update on their progress and any challenges faced.
- Task Delegation: If certain tasks were assigned to individuals, each person would report on their progress.
- Issue Resolution: If a problem was identified in the previous meeting, the business arising section is the time to discuss how it was addressed or what further steps are required.
Why Business Arising Is Important
- Accountability: It ensures that tasks and decisions are followed through.
- Efficiency: It helps to keep projects on track and prevents issues from being overlooked.
- Transparency: It creates a clear record of progress and any changes that were made.
- Continuity: It helps to link actions taken in one meeting to the next.
In summary, "business arising" is a formal and structured review of previously discussed items needing action, focused on tracking progress, addressing problems, and providing further guidance to responsible parties.
