agenda

An agenda is a plan or list of items to be addressed or acted upon during a meeting or event, or a personal program of activities to be completed. In organizational settings, agendas provide structure, help participants prepare, allocate time, and guide decision-making. The term also extends to to-do lists and schedules used to manage daily work or projects.

The word comes from Latin agendum, the neuter plural of agendum, from agere "to do," literally "things to be done." In English, agenda has been used since the early modern period to denote a planned sequence of actions.

Common types include meeting agendas, project or conference agendas, and personal or family agendas. A typical agenda lists items, order of discussion, time allotments, and the person responsible. For meetings, the agenda is often circulated in advance to facilitate efficient facilitation and clear outcomes.

In political and media contexts, agenda-setting refers to how media attention shapes public perception of importance. The phrase hidden agenda refers to concealed motives. The term is sometimes used metaphorically to describe overarching plans or intentions beyond a superficial schedule.