This guide explains how to use Agenda Creator to build a first sequential event agenda. Start with the event name and day settings, add items, edit their durations and review the automatically calculated times. Then export the draft for a separate review or handoff.
The instructions describe the current browser-based prototype. It supports session fields, day-by-day planning, reordering and file export. Use a small practice agenda first so you can check the workflow before entering a complete conference.
1. Name the event and set the first day
Enter a recognisable name in the Event name field. Open the first day’s settings and set its date and start time. A day starting at 09:00 produces a different timetable from one starting at 10:00, even if the item durations are identical.
Use the actual event date rather than leaving an initial default unchecked. Each day has its own start time, so review these settings separately when planning a longer event.
2. Add the agenda items
Choose item types such as Opening / closing, Presentation, Panel / discussion, Coffee break or Custom item. On a desktop, the Agenda items panel offers buttons that can be clicked or dragged into the schedule. On a narrow mobile view, use Add agenda item in the agenda area to open the item choices.
Default durations are starting values. Edit them to match your plan, and add breaks or transfer time as explicit items. The tool calculates a sequential agenda, so it needs those intervals in order to include them in the finish time.
3. Edit a session and save it
Use the edit control on an item to open its details. Set the title, type, duration in minutes, speaker, room or location, and notes. Select Save to apply the changes and review the new times.
For the practice agenda below, replace default durations with these values. There is no separate question block: the presentation’s budget should include any questions you intend to allow.
| Time | Minutes | Agenda item | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00–09:10 | 10 | Welcome | Explain the session goal |
| 09:10–09:40 | 30 | Presentation | Explain one topic, including any agreed questions |
| 09:40–09:50 | 10 | Coffee break | Allow a short rest |
| 09:50–10:00 | 10 | Closing | Summarize and explain the next step |
4. Reorder items and check the result
Where browser drag-and-drop is supported, use an item’s drag handle to change the sequence. Review the recalculated start and end times afterwards. Reordering changes the programme flow, while changing a duration affects the time available to later items.
As a simple test, increase the presentation from 30 to 40 minutes. The total becomes 70 minutes, so a 09:00 start should finish at 10:10. Return it to 30 minutes if the event must end at 10:00.
5. Add another day if required
Select + Add day, then review the new date and start time. Build that day’s sequence and confirm that items are on the intended date. The current prototype uses a sequential list per day rather than an automatic parallel-track conflict checker.
6. Export and keep a copy
Use Export CSV or Export Excel. The Excel export includes a combined Schedule sheet and day-specific sheets. The CSV includes day, date, start, end, duration, type, title, speaker, room and notes.
The prototype saves the working schedule in the current browser. That is not a shared account or a backup available on another device. Export an approved copy before changing browsers or clearing browser data. Exported files do not automatically synchronise changes back to the builder.
If the Excel export module is unavailable, use CSV and check its separator when opening it in a spreadsheet. Finally, compare the exported finish time and session details with the draft before sending it to others.
Put the plan into practice
Create the one-hour practice agenda, change a duration and inspect the export. Then use the same workflow for your real event. Open Agenda Creator to draft the sequence and test the timing.