Basismeting

Basismeting is a term used by some teams to describe a collaborative meeting that aims to establish a common basis for a project, domain, or initiative. It is not a widely standardized concept and its exact meaning can vary between organizations.

The core idea of basismeting is to create a shared foundation before proceeding with detailed planning or execution. Typical activities include defining essential concepts and terminology, outlining the project scope and goals, listing success criteria, and documenting key assumptions, constraints, risks, and dependencies. Participants often produce a living basis document that can guide subsequent work and be revisited as reality evolves.

In practice, basismeting is used in contexts such as product development, research groups, and knowledge-management initiatives, especially at kickoff or during major pivots. It emphasizes consensus-building, transparency, and alignment among stakeholders, and it differs from ordinary planning or status meetings by prioritizing foundational understanding over task assignment.

Expected outcomes include improved communication, clearer scope, faster onboarding, and better decision traceability. Benefits arise when the basis document is actively maintained and referenced. Potential drawbacks include the time required to reach agreement and the need for skilled facilitation to keep discussions constructive. If the basis becomes stale or overly rigid, it may hinder agility.

Because basismeting lacks a single, official definition, organizations may adapt the concept to their needs, combining elements of facilitation, knowledge capture, and collaborative decision-making to suit their workflows.