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Panel discussion agenda template (60 minutes)

A panel without a moderator's plan turns into a monologue or a shouting match. This shape gives you real moderated questions first, so the audience hears competing views, then twelve minutes where your audience asks directly. You will need to cut off the person who uses Q&A as a soapbox.

Topic Minutes Running total
Intro and housekeeping Restate the topic, introduce yourself, name panelists, set the ground rules on time. 5 5
Panelist intros A round of 90 seconds each: who they are and one relevant fact. No questions yet. 10 15
Moderated questions Ask prepared questions, follow up, balance speakers so everyone is heard. This is the substance. 30 45
Audience Q&A Hands up or a mic. Repeat the question so everyone hears it. Stop speeches in progress. 12 57
Close Thank panelists and audience, say what the disagreement meant, remind how to follow panelists. 3 60

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Using BriefMe, create a 60-minute panel discussion: 5 minutes for intro and housekeeping, 10 minutes for panelist introductions, 30 minutes of moderated questions, 12 minutes for audience Q&A, and 3 minutes to close.

Questions

How long should a panel discussion be?
An hour is the standard; ninety minutes suits a topic that is complex or fractious. Anything shorter than forty-five minutes leaves no room for real questions. The panelists' comfort matters less than your audience hearing the real disagreement.
How do I make panelists stick to their time?
Brief them beforehand: you will keep them to time with a visible countdown. When time is up, say 'Thank you,' and move on. A clear boundary set before the panel starts is kinder to them than cutting them off mid-sentence.
What if someone asks a speech instead of a question?
Acknowledge them: 'That's an important point.' Rephrase it as a real question for the panelists. If they keep going: 'We need to move, but find me after the panel.' Set the boundary once, kindly, firmly. They know what happened.

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