Parking Lot

What Is It Good For?

The parking lot helps keep your process on track by allowing you to keep tabs on ideas and issues while still focusing on the main task at the moment. Using this tool in your meetings can help ensure everything is covered efficiently. The parking lot acknowledges the value of the item by writing it down and ensures that it will be followed up on.

How Do I Use It?

Set aside or "park" items that are not directly related to the issue at hand or are for follow up at a later time. At each meeting:

 
1. Label a flip chart "Parking Lot" and post it in a visible place in the room.
2. Explain how you'll use the parking lot if there are new participants.
3. As something comes up that you think is tangential, ask if it's an item for the Parking Lot.
4. Schedule time to review the Parking Lot near the end of each meeting.

Go On