Guide 153 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “Parking lot”
Meeting-speak for "set this aside."
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
Facilitators use "parking lot" for off-topic items; it's fine spoken. In writing it can confuse. Use "defer," "set aside," or "revisit later."
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
Let's parking-lot that and come back to it.
After
Let's set that aside and come back to it.
iii · The alternatives4 ways out
- 01Set aside neutral
defer for now
Set that aside for now.
- 02Revisit later neutral
explicit re-open
We'll revisit later.
- 03Defer formal
formal postponement
Defer the item to next meeting.
- 04Table neutral
US parliamentary (means postpone)
Table the item.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
For minutes, name the owner and the revisit date. "Parking lot" without those details is an abandoned item.