One clock. One owner. No surprises.
A panel does not need a countdown every panelist can see — it needs one person watching the clock and a plan for what happens when someone runs long.
Split the budget and name a timekeeper
- Give each panelist an equal time budget and write it into the run of show.
- Assign one timekeeper who owns the control link — not the moderator fielding questions.
- Agree on the private cue that means “wrap up” before anyone is on camera.
Cue privately, not on screen
- Keep the countdown on the timekeeper's screen only; panelists watch the moderator, not a clock.
- Send one private cue at the halfway point and another with one minute left.
- If a panelist runs long, shorten the next transition question instead of cutting the segment after it.
Reserve it before you go live
- Hold back 20-30% of the total time for Q&A before the panel starts.
- If the panel runs over, cut time from the middle segment, not from Q&A.
- Decide which panelist's segment absorbs an overrun before the room goes live.
One control view for every panelist.
RunCue keeps the countdown, segment list, and private cue in the producer's control view — panelists and the audience only see the stage link.
- Separate control and stage links
- Private producer cues
- Segment editing and Reset in the trial
Microsoft recommends assigning production roles, rehearsing transitions, and keeping a backup producer ready before a large meeting or event.
Microsoft Teams production guidanceZoom recommends rehearsing the full webinar, including speaker handoffs, ahead of the live session.
Zoom webinar host guide