{"id":2208,"date":"2015-03-19T00:01:51","date_gmt":"2015-03-19T04:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/terrencemetz.com\/?p=2208"},"modified":"2026-04-21T13:47:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T17:47:39","slug":"meetings-workshops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meetings-workshops\/","title":{"rendered":"Meetings and Workshops &#8212; Differences and Characteristics"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>If it seems that workshops are actually well-run meetings, that is true to a large degree. Well-run meetings and facilitated workshops share similarities. The primary differences between meetings and workshops become evident with the characteristics of each.<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>All workshops are meetings while most meetings are not workshops<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Roughly speaking, meetings deliver up outcomes or conditions, such as \u201cincreased awareness,\u201d while workshops document outputs such as strategic plans, decisions, and detailed solutions.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h4><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><em>Meeting Characteristics<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Generally intended to inform by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-purposes\/\">exchanging information<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-agenda-template\/\">Agenda<\/a> steps are frequently time-boxed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Tend to have informally defined\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitator-training\/\">roles<\/a>\u00a0and a non-neutral leader<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Typically covering\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/daily-scrum\/\">many issues<\/a> in a few hours (s) or less<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><em>Workshop Characteristics<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A building method\u2014a way to solve a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/problem-meetings\/\">problem<\/a>, develop a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/action-plan\/\">plan<\/a>, reach a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/decision-quality\/\">decision<\/a>, agree on analytics,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/design-thinker\/\">design<\/a>\u00a0a flow, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Agenda steps are typically not time-boxed, since early output typically supports product development or process improvement and <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/innovation-results\/\">innovation<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Include formally defined roles and depend on a\u00a0<a href=\" https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/how-to-ensure-neutral-facilitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">neutral<\/a>\u00a0facilitator<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Remain\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/work-breakdown-structure\/\">focused<\/a>\u00a0on one development at a time, lasting from a few hours to a few days<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<h3><strong>Different reasons for hosting workshops versus meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Meetings<\/strong> tend to follow one of three themes, to . . .<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Endorse or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/diverse-teams\/\">decide<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/decision-quality\/\">Inform<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Monitor and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/after-action-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">review<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Workshops<\/strong> focus on singular topics and strive to build detailed outputs. Successful workshops depend on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Knowing clearly what DONE looks like, specific output or deliverables<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">An agenda design that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/team-members\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">engages<\/a>\u00a0participants<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Sequencing information-gathering\u00a0activities or agenda steps<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Monitoring the workshop\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/evidence-based\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">method<\/a>\u00a0to accomplish those goals<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_11661\" style=\"width: 1305px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"dt-pswp-item\" href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/WorkshopCanvas2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-dt-img-description=\"Difference Between Meetings and Workshops: The Workshop Canvass\"><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11661\" class=\"wp-image-11661 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/WorkshopCanvas2.jpg\" alt=\"Workshop Canvass\" width=\"1295\" height=\"1004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/WorkshopCanvas2.jpg 1295w, https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/WorkshopCanvas2-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/WorkshopCanvas2-1024x794.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/WorkshopCanvas2-768x595.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1295px) 100vw, 1295px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11661\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Difference Between Meetings and Workshops: The Workshop Canvas<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Success for Both Meetings and Workshops<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The critical elements necessary for the success of both meetings and workshops include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Availability and commitment from management, thus ensuring the availability of proper resources, personnel, time, and support<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A\u00a0well-trained\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/session-leader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">session leader<\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitation-skills\/\">facilitation skills<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-designer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">meeting design<\/a>\u00a0skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Inflection points\u2014gathering the information, making the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/voting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decisions<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-documenter\/\">documenting<\/a>\u00a0the results<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/great-facilitators\/\">Preparation<\/a>\u2014getting yourself and the participants ready to produce, quickly<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-wrap\/\">Review<\/a>\u00a0and resolution\u2014distribute and integrate deliverable; into product, project, or other initiatives<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Significant Differences of\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Meetings and Workshops<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong>#1 Time Boxing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Meetings frequently limit the amount of time per agenda step. Therefore, with most workshop activities, front-end loading frequently makes it easier to complete the back-end steps and activities. Consequently, for most workshop activities, we <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-duration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">estimate<\/a>\u00a0time but allow groups additional time to fully develop\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitate-speakers-conferences\/\">consensual<\/a>\u00a0assumptions up-front, when it matters most.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>#2 Topic Dependency<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Meetings consist of loosely related topics that serve to review and monitor, inform, and sometimes endorse (or decide).\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/better-listeners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Participants<\/a> during meetings are commonly passive while workshops demand activity and contributions. Meetings aim for an updated state of affairs or condition (outcome), while workshops create tangible <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/building-agendas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">deliverables<\/a> or concrete \u2018outputs.\u2019 Contrasted to meetings, workshops create the ability to act upon clear workshop output.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>#3 Concluding<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Regularly held meetings (i.e., staff meetings or <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitate-board-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">board<\/a>\u00a0meetings) end when time runs out, usually with an understanding that unfinished items will be picked up in the next meeting. When groups are building toward a workshop deliverable, the sequence of the steps is important and they cannot leap ahead or advance until the foundation work is complete.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>#4 Facilitator Neutrality<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Meeting leaders frequently do not exhibit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/tips-for-more-effective-meetings\/\">neutrality<\/a>. Effective meeting leaders learn to embrace the importance of neutrality and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/active-listening\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">active listening<\/a>. However, when required, participants force them to render an opinion or a decision. Workshop leaders should strive in every way possible to avoid suggesting content, knowing that the participants must own and live with their <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/decision-quality\/\">decisions<\/a>. Similarly, workshop leaders risk total failure if they violate neutrality by offering up content. Participants do not expect complete\u00a0neutrality\u00a0from meeting leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>#5 Duration<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Workshops tend to last longer than meetings. While the average meeting lasts from 30 minutes to two hours, the average workshop takes many hours or even a few sessions with multiple days. Complex deliverables such as a <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/workshop-canvas\/\">Project Charter<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/requirements-gathering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Requirements Gathering<\/a>\u00a0last multiple sessions that probably span many weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Considerations about Meeting Workshop Differences<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Due to time constraints, participant availability, and meeting space (real estate)\u00a0options, much workshop activity gets spread across multiple weeks, turning a potentially natural, multiple-day workshop into multiple-week \u201cmeetings.\u201d The <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitation-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">structural<\/a> difference between concurrent-day and concurrent-week approaches is that the break periods between activities are longer with the concurrent or multiple-week approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The session leader needs to be aware of workshop <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitation-best-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">deliverables<\/a> that are hidden in the term \u201cmeeting.\u201d Simply because an event is being called a meeting or lasts for only an hour or two, does not give the session leader the right to show up unprepared or to become a <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-failures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">judge<\/a> of others, their input, and their opinions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>A Structured Technique Works with Both Meetings and Workshops Because . . .<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/team-building\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Assignments<\/a>\u00a0combine and finish\u00a0timely.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Clear\u00a0tasks define outputs and directions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Consensus-derived information becomes input to subsequent activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Groups make higher quality decisions than the smartest person \u2028in the group.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Meeting design may use existing agendas (meeting designs), such as structured analysis and prioritization methods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Ownership is clear.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Participants have well-defined <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/raci-chart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">roles<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Structured workshops provide well-defined deliverables.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The group reaches a mutual understanding of business needs and <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/different-priorities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">priorities<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The session leader stimulates participants with a toolkit of <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-graphics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">visual<\/a> aids, documentation forms, and <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/individual-versus-group-decisions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">group dynamics<\/a> skills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Structure and group dynamics provide more complete and accurate information.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Structured workshops conducted with workshop best practices are increasingly popular among among design sprints,\u00a0requirements gathering, and business planning sessions that support business process improvement and product development.<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Why? When properly conducted, workshops conducted with workshop best practices generate faster and more effective results than unstructured business discussions. Remember that the terms <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/decision-quality\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">discussion<\/a>, percussion, and concussion share a common suffix. Therefore, if you ever have a headache when departing a meeting, it is likely unstructured.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Common Reasons for Structured Workshops<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Over the years we have catalogued the various workshops that we facilitated and share the reasons with you. Find them sequenced below in alphabetical order, rather than frequency, importance, or randomness:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Any initiative requiring decision-making or consensual agreement between two or more people<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Business area <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/force-field-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">analysis<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/workshop-canvas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Business case<\/a> development (including process optimization)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Content management prioritization<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Executing your <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/review-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">strategy<\/a>, building action plans<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Gathering <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/requirements-gathering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">requirements<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/innovation-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Innovation<\/a>, at least the creativity and ideation portion<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Key performance, <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/smart-measures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">measuring,<\/a> and management indicators<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitator-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Knowledge management<\/a> (including decision support)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Maintenance activity to solve for missing descriptions of changes, <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/group-clarity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">precision<\/a> with requirements, or problem identification<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">New system or business development initiatives<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Performance management (including balanced <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/balanced-scorecard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">scorecard<\/a> and dashboards)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Problem situation requiring arbitration or neutrality<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/process-improvement-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Process improvement<\/a>\u2014design or optimization<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/program-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Project management<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/triz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Problem-solving<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/structured-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Product development<\/a> processes<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Scientific inquiry or challenging <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/groupthink\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">paradigms<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Six Sigma<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> and Lean or other<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/strategy-execution-map\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> quality initiatives<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Strategic planning at any level in the organizational <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/holarchy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">holarchy<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Team charters (including management perspectives and supporting strategic planning activities or tactical assignments)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/online-meeting-problems\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Virtual<\/a>\u00a0and online meetings and workshops<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/product-concept-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Voice of the customer<\/a> or advisory groups<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><b>Workshop Best Practices<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Essential workshop best practices developed for facilitated sessions include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Defining <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/build-consensus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">consensus<\/a> as a standard that can be supported rather than the ideal resolution that makes participants \u201chappy\u201d, helps set a better expectation that should prevent all participants from losing any sleep (a personal standard).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/science-of-teamwork\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Energize<\/a> and engage participants by explaining the importance of the session in the beginning and strive to quantify the impact of the meeting on the project valued in cash assets at risk or FTP (full-time person) being deployed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Use a neutral facilitator. The facilitator must be neutral to the content discussed, allowing the participants freedom to edit and modify their own contributions. Neutrality provides trust that enables a higher level of <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/quiet-people\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">participation<\/a> and contribution by participants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Using a pre-defined deliverable, <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/building-agendas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">agenda<\/a>, and participant list. Therefore, the deliverable and agenda for each session ought to be articulated in advance to <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/action-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">transfer ownership<\/a> to the session participants prior to the meeting. Thorough preparation helps the participants to focus on topics, <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/power-of-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">questions<\/a>, and activities that help the facilitator better control the context.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Using a <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-wrap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">refrigerator<\/a> (aka \u201cparking lot\u201d or \u201cissue bin\u201d) to store items out of scope or beyond reach for the time available helps separate the co-mingling of <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/review-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">strategic<\/a> issues, tactical maneuvers, and operational issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Using a well-prepared deliverable and agenda, the facilitator can better control the scope of <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/crucial-conversations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">conversations<\/a>, preventing circular and irrelevant discussions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Write it down. Because, if it is not written down, it never happens. Strive to capture verbatim comments and complete necessary edits after the meeting. Visual feedback builds more confidence among participants. Additionally, making the documentation immediately visible to participants minimizes one-on-one follow-ups and email conversations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><b>Benefits of Structured\u00a0<\/b><b>Workshops<\/b><\/h4>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Organizations establish scalable, <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-killers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">consistent<\/a> processes that can be measured and continuously improved as a result of adopting a <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/structured-facilitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">structured<\/a> approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Overall project life cycle can be shortened by weeks, thus helping business <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/facilitation-secret\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stakeholders<\/a> realize project benefits early.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Session participants demonstrate a high level of active <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/team-members\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">engagement<\/a>, claiming that structured sessions enable better use of their time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Structured approaches also produce <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meeting-conflicts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">higher quality<\/a> outputs,\u00a0allowing for issues and <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/risk-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">risks<\/a> to be identified and resolved earlier in the life cycle when the cost to resolve them is smaller.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Structured approaches enhance the value of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/session-leader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">session leader&#8217;s<\/a> role as a valuable provider of context rather than a mere producer of documentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Workshop approaches result in an overall reduction of time and effort. In comparison studies, companies claim project life-cycle savings that exceed USD $100,000 and some exceeding one million dollars because they adopted a <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/structured-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">structured<\/a> approach to meetings and workshops.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Workshop approaches successfully shift project development activities from being template-driven to conversation-driven, thus helping build cohesive teams and collaboration amongst participants.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In a world where everyone can engage in decisions that affect them<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>______<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Lead the Change\u2014One Meeting at a Time<\/b><b><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Are you ready to transform how decisions are made, problems are solved, and alignment is built in your organization?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>True meeting leadership goes beyond setting an agenda.<\/b> It requires a facilitator who can navigate complexity, balance voices, and drive toward outcomes with clarity and consensus. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/public-facilitation-training\/\"><b>Professional Meeting Leadership Workshop<\/b><\/a> and facilitation training equips you to do just that\u2014blending <b>human-centric methods<\/b> with <b>structured analytical tools<\/b> to foster rigor, inclusivity, and results that stick.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b><\/b><b>Practice live.<\/b><b><\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b><\/b><b>Get expert feedback.<\/b><b><\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b><\/b><b>Build confidence that lasts.<\/b><b><\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Whether your meetings suffer from unclear objectives, disengaged participants, or decision fatigue, this workshop will help you <b>identify the root causes<\/b>, <b>apply proven facilitation techniques<\/b>, and <b>emerge as the leader every team needs<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Take the first step today\u2014transform your meetings and magnify your impact.<\/b><b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>______<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/public-facilitation-training\/\"><b>Click here to reserve your seat now.<\/b><b><\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\"><i>#facilitationtraining #meetingdesign<\/i><\/span><i><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Because every meeting should be a catalyst for change\u2014not just another calendar event.<\/b><\/span><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>______<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">With Bookmarks no longer a feature in WordPress, we provide the following for your benefit and reference.<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">20 Prioritization Techniques = <a href=\"https:\/\/foldingburritos.com\/product-prioritization-techniques\/\">https:\/\/foldingburritos.com\/product-prioritization-techniques\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Creativity Techniques = <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mycoted.com\/Category:Creativity_Techniques\">https:\/\/www.mycoted.com\/Category:Creativity_Techniques<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Facilitation Training Calendar = <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/public-facilitation-training-calendar\/\">https:\/\/mgrush.com\/public-facilitation-training-calendar\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Liberating Structures = <a href=\"http:\/\/www.liberatingstructures.com\/ls-menu\">http:\/\/www.liberatingstructures.com\/ls-menu<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Management Methods = <a href=\"https:\/\/www.valuebasedmanagement.net\/\">https:\/\/www.valuebasedmanagement.net<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Newseum = https:\/\/www.freedomforum.org\/todaysfrontpages\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">People Search = <a href=\"https:\/\/pudding.cool\/2019\/05\/people-map\/\">https:\/\/pudding.cool\/2019\/05\/people-map\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Project Gutenberg = http:\/\/www.gutenberg.org\/wiki\/Main_Page<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Scrum Events Agendas = <a href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/scrum-facilitation\/\">https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/scrum-facilitation\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Speed test = <a href=\"https:\/\/www.speedtest.net\/result\/8715401342\">https:\/\/www.speedtest.net\/result\/8715401342<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Teleconference call = <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/DYu_bGbZiiQ\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/DYu_bGbZiiQ<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Size of Space = https:\/\/neal.fun\/size-of-space\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Thiagi\/ 400 ready-to-use training games = <a href=\"http:\/\/thiagi.net\/archive\/www\/games.html\">http:\/\/thiagi.net\/archive\/www\/games.html<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Visualization methods = <a href=\"http:\/\/www.visual-literacy.org\/periodic_table\/periodic_table.html\">http:\/\/www.visual-literacy.org\/periodic_table\/periodic_table.html#<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b>______<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If it seems that workshops are actually well-run meetings, that is true to a large degree. Well-run meetings and facilitated workshops share similarities. The primary differences between meetings and workshops become evident with the characteristics of each. All workshops are meetings while most meetings are not workshops Roughly speaking, meetings deliver up outcomes or conditions, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11661,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13289,11161],"tags":[67837,453190952,453190953,453192209,133044,453191626],"class_list":["post-2208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-meeting-agendas","category-meeting-structure","tag-decision-making","tag-difference-between-meetings-and-workshops","tag-meetings-and-workshops","tag-planning","tag-problem-solving","tag-workshop-canvas"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Differences Between Meetings and Workshops - Characteristics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Meetings deliver outcomes such as &quot;increased awareness&quot; while workshops document outputs such as plans, decisions, and detailed solutions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meetings-workshops\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meetings and Workshops --- Differences and Characteristics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understand the different reasons for hosting workshops versus meetings. Workshops focus on singular topics and strive to build impactful deliverables.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/meetings-workshops\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"MG RUSH Facilitation Best Practices Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FacilitationTraining\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FacilitationTraining\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-03-19T04:01:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-21T17:47:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/WorkshopCanvas2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1295\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1004\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Facilitation Expert\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Understand the different reasons for hosting workshops versus meetings. 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