INTRODUCTIONWorkplace meetings can be considered essential but one of the most inefficient components of a business environment. Project managers can significantly influence project performance by proactively influencing and controlling project meeting dynamics. This can ultimately generate highly valuable results in achieving team integration and consensus. PROBLEMS WITH MEETINGS Experts widely agree that there are too many meetings than are necessary and most meetings are a waste of valuable time (American Marketing Association, 2011). Meetings can tend to become long and pointless. Unfortunately, most meetings are hampered by vague agendas and directionless discussions. An attitude of lack of commitment creeps in which leads to a decrease in participation. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS The detrimental effects of unproductive meetings on a project are usually overlooked. In this essay I will attempt to examine the dynamics of meetings, including the five Ps (purpose, product, participants, process and likely issues) and develop a reference cookbook for organizing and managing meetings. INITIATION PHASE Meeting strategy: the purpose is to analyze whether a suggested business needs fit the strategic framework and vision of the organization (Tammy Adams, 2008). The products of this meeting include the development of an initial draft of the business case, aligning it with the overall strategies of the organization. Participants should be small in number and include senior executives, sponsors and business process experts who would analyze the direction of the project. The process should focus on dividing the meeting into short segments and focusing on individual items at a time. Possible problems could arise from failure to present complete data for the company...... middle of document ......p://www.the-program-manager.com/project-management/how- organize-an-effective-meeting/SME. (2004). Quickbooks. (2009, December 16). Agenda for the project closing meeting - DOC. Retrieved December 4, 2014, from docstoc: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/19614443/Project-Closeout-Meeting-AgendaSchwalbe, K. (2012). Information technology project management. Boston MA: Cengage Leaning.Tammy Adams, J.M. (2008). Project Meeting Facilitator: Facilitation skills to make the most of project meetings. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.UGM Consulting. (2009, July 23). Strategy design and facilitation: The UGM consultancy approach. Retrieved December 4, 2014, from UMGConsulting: http://www.ugmconsulting.com/Effective%20strategy%20design.pdfVick, J. (2012, January 12). Project Management: How to Run Team Meetings. Retrieved 4 12, 2014, from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW0CjH95K3Q