FREE 3+ Parking Lot Matrix Samples in PDF

It is a very common occurrence during meetings to get off-topic the main agenda. While it can be dragging and time-consuming talking about other things non-related to the topic, it is not lost on us that some of the brilliant ideas borne out of the meetings are extremely useful in one way or another. Instead of dismissing them, you can write them down and come back for them at a later time for assessment. That is why parking lot matrices are important since they provide the avenue for note-takers to highlight ideas that may be truly beneficial in the future. To know more about the parking lot matrix, read further and learn how to create your own with this article.

3+ Parking Lot Matrix Samples

1. Parking Lot Matrix

2. Sample Parking Lot Matrix

3. Formal Parking Lot Matrix

4. Parking Lot Matrix Example

What Is a Parking Lot Matrix?

A parking lot matrix is a management tool used by secretaries to capture and list down sidetrack tangents (ideas, comments, or questions) in a meeting. It is considered one of the most useful project management strategies that you can utilize to avoid being veered away off-topic from an agenda or special matter. The parking lot matrix comes in various sizes, purposes, and designs depending on its use and the user’s preferences.

How to Create a Parking Lot Matrix

In creating a parking lot matrix, you should know beforehand the agenda of the meeting so you can design and put information accurately. The simplest and most preferred matrix design is a table with 5 columns that are labeled accordingly: issues under discussion, look for opportunities, keep on the radar, consider later, and do not consider. You can opt to include other details such as the level of difficulty of a tangent (easy, medium, hard) to keep track of issues that mattered (after the meeting). Below are some tips that you should consider if you are planning to create a matrix of your own.

1. Talk About Pressing Matters First

It is always a good thing to stick to the agenda before anything else. Let your team members or employees know if they have ideas that may seem off-topic but helpful, they can write them down first and label them. This allows you to cover and discuss important matters before you can be sidetracked by comments and questions which you can always address after the meeting.

2. Gather Tangents in an Open Forum

After all, agendas are analyzed, addressed, and discussed, you can let your employees or teammates open up about their ideas. If you are using a digitalized parking lot matrix, you can let them label their ideas and put them under looking for opportunities, keep them on the radar, consider later, or do not consider boxes. Using this technique saves you time and you even get to hear about ideas that you have not even considered before.

3. Turn Tangents into Action Plans

After the initial assessment of provided tangents, ask your teammates or employees how much they are willing to follow up on them. Assign everyone a responsibility according to their ideas and give a specific timeline for a development report.

4. Set a Follow-Up Meeting

To avoid getting off-track on future meetings, it is best to discuss the parking lot items in a separate meeting. However, if you do not have the luxury of making a follow-up meeting due to constraints, then make sure that you can include the parking lot topics as another agenda in a regular project meeting.

5. Share the Results of the Meeting

If you have employees or teammates that have contributed a tangent that made it to your action plan but are not invited to the follow-up meeting, you should share the results with them nonetheless. Aside from appreciating their efforts, you are also acknowledging their ideas and knowledge on a certain topic. Furthermore, your teammates or employees would also know what’s the company’s next move on the project and what steps would be taken thereafter.

FAQs

When there are too many distractions in a meeting, it takes away time to discuss what matters. This is why you should use a parking lot matrix system to create an opportunity for you and your team to take note of the many ideas without straying away from the main agenda of a meeting. To start creating your parking lot matrix, you may check out our available selection of editable templates that you can use anytime.