Louis JanosProject Manager| Ropes & GrayBoston, Ma, United States
Hoping the community will provide some input on helpful tips for note taking during calls. I find myself trying to write down everything for fear of missing something instead of writing down only the important items within a conversation. Can people give some best practices or helpful tips when it comes to note taking? Thank you. Saving Changes...
Daryl CaverSr Project Manager| TomTomNh, United States
It takes time and practice to understand what is important for information. If you can delegate to someone else to take notes, please do that first and foremost. Having to set the agenda, moderate the meeting and take notes in real time is extremely challenging. I moved into a new unit and started working on a new project I knew nothing about so I would record the sessions and then listen to it after and create the notes and then send them out to the audience. I found doing that allowed me to listen and focus on the key points, open issues to discuss in a new meeting, etc. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
If you're going to delegate the notetaking, make sure the person is skilled at the task: using the most junior person usually leads to uneven notes. Make sure they understand the details you are looking for.
When I am doing it myself, I either take notes directly in a shared document or I take notes in OneNote (Win + N). Snip & Sketch (Win + Shift + S) is also a quick way to capture something being displayed for notes saving. Saving Changes...
Patrick SpurgeonProject Manager IV| CSG International, Inc.Omaha, Ne, United States
All GREAT tips thus far! Rule #1 (at least for me) - Network with key stakeholders/workstream leads to collect updates BEFORE the call. Personally, I look at the agenda doc as more of a recap/communication exercise vs. a collection/documentation activity. If done thoroughly, you'll likely have few notes to add during the call! Rule #2 - Whenever possible, require the key stakeholders/workstream leads to personally present and 'highlight' their updates on the call & address questions directly. If you do less/little talking, you'll have more time to focus on notes/changes vs. being absorbed in speaking. This has the added benefit of fostering accuracy, thoroughness, accountability and commitment within the stakeholders/leads. If people know they will be speaking, they are MUCH more likely to be detailed and accurate with their updates! Regardless of who is speaking, I always display/share the agenda doc and take notes real-time (as mentioned by at least one other contributor here and for the reasons noted). Have no fear...with time and experience...speed and efficiency will come! Good luck! Saving Changes...
Latha Thamma reddiSr Product and Portfolio Management (Automation Innovation)| DXC TechnologyMckinney, Tx, United States
