For the Google Wave meetup we in Copenhagen today, we did all the planning regarding the meeting in a wave. It did not work out. It was only three participants how showed up to the meetup, and it was all the presenters or organizers. I hope that it is just the weather, but think there could also be some part of the wave usage that could be different.
We did some mistakes that I will probably do again, but at least try to avoid.
- First we did a survey about when to have the meeting, and we had to change the time because it did not fit with the schedule of university where the event should be held.
- I also asked people to contribute and participate in create an agenda. Most people are not interested in giving presentations, but instead what to learn. Which is why the meeting is taking place.
- We did not send out reminder mails. It would probably be a good idea to send out reminder mails to all the involved participants in the wave a day or two before. Many people may have mute the wave so they don’t see it as a reminder that an upcoming event is taking place.
- Did not have a clear RSVP where people could indicate that they were going to attend.
So next time we are going to plan a meetup. We will create an agenda and a place a head of time and then add people to sign up to the event. I if they want then people can contribute to the agenda if they want more topics.
I will also send an email to all persons how have indicated that they would like to come or are coming. That will for me sometimes make it easier to attend.
Planning meetings might be something that will be much easier to do in 12sprints, since you have a much more controlled environment for creating decisions.
I talked with Jacques Holst about planning, and he said the web never had been a one communication strategy. I think we have to remember that there are many other forms of communication to look for.
Image by Jonas K
