Timer

The Timer tool is designed to help meeting activities stay within a time budget. Timer is used most frequently in combination with another Meetingworks tool, but it can also be used independently.

Using the timer

The facilitator decides during meeting planning how much time the group should spend on an activity, and whether it is appropriate to use the Timer to help keep track of the time. The Timer is set for the number of minutes desired, counts down to zero, and then beeps and displays a message.

Timer features include:

• Customizable mode (analog or digital) and size
• Is visible on participant screens (in Connect)

File Editor

The File Editor tool is used by the chauffeur to create input files before a meeting. It is also used during a meeting as part of the process to either perhaps reduce a list of evaluated items or remove scores and variability numbers from an evaluation step.

Using File Editor to remove scores during the meeting

After editing is completed, File Editor writes the corrected file to the output file name specified.

File Editor features include:

• Search, find, replace capability
• Ability to remove scores and variability from Evaluate, Cross Impact, or Multiple Criteria Analysis step results
• Ability to remove author tags from Generate step results
• Can be launched from AgendaPlanner toolbar for use in setting up meeting files during the planning process

Manual

The Manual tool allows for activities that do not require computer tools of any kind to be included in the meeting agenda. A meeting agenda will frequently contain items that do not require computer tools of any kind, such as speeches, breakout groups, or lunch breaks, and by including them in the agenda, it accurately reflects what occurred during the meeting.

Manual step used for space holders in an agenda

Here are some examples for using a Manual step:

• Space holders for major tasks in a meeting agenda
• To begin a “loop” (e.g., start a counter for use in repetitive steps)
• Show instructions for an activity (using the Step Options)

 

External

Use External Program Tool to launch any program from an agenda

The External Program Tool allows for software applications in addition to Meetingworks to be used during a meeting and included in the agenda. A meeting agenda often contains tasks that involve using software applications such as spreadsheets, surveys, project planning tools, or word processors.

Here are some examples for using External Program Tool:

• Open Microsoft Project to schedule items agreed upon in a previous Organize step.
• Analyze the results of several Evaluate steps using Microsoft Excel.
• Show a slide show by launching either Microsoft PowerPoint or a browser.
• Launch Microsoft Word to fill in a template for action plans.