Back-to-back meetings are consecutive meetings scheduled with no gap between them, so each one starts as the previous ends.
They are a common cause of chronic lateness and unwritten actions, because a single overrun cascades through the rest of the day. The usual fix is enforced buffer time and shorter default meeting lengths.
Shortening the default meeting length from an hour to fifty minutes creates buffer without anyone having to negotiate for it. It is the least confrontational fix available and it works immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What does Back-to-back Meetings mean in simple terms?
Back-to-back meetings are consecutive meetings scheduled with no gap between them, so each one starts as the previous ends.
What are the rules around Back-to-back Meetings?
They are a common cause of chronic lateness and unwritten actions, because a single overrun cascades through the rest of the day. The usual fix is enforced buffer time and shorter default meeting lengths.
How does Back-to-back Meetings work in practice?
Shortening the default meeting length from an hour to fifty minutes creates buffer without anyone having to negotiate for it. It is the least confrontational fix available and it works immediately.