Board documents are an essential source of information that informs the crucial decisions that keep a company on track. Too much information can overwhelm an individual on the board and result in poor decisions, while too little means that the board has missed crucial insights or may lose control of the business. To avoid this, board members need access to thorough and accurate information that is easily digestible and well-organized. This article provides the best practices for drafting effective documents for boards that satisfy these requirements.

Effective board papers include the most relevant and timely information that is directly related to the strategic decision-making process. They are simple and concise, using formal business writing styles and avoiding jargon or technical terms. The information should be tailored to each director’s needs, as boards come from different backgrounds. Marketing jargon for example is not appropriate for finance professionals. If you’re creating documents for boards, make sure you include a glossary for specialized terms or acronyms. This will ensure that all readers are able to comprehend the document.

The board should also create its own guidelines and standards for the preparation of documents. This includes using a template, choosing the preferred fonts and creating an appendix that can share sources or provide additional information. The board should also define rules for a quorum and the number of members needed for a meeting to be held, making sure that all directors take part and be heard.

Boards should distribute their meeting materials well in advance so that directors have ample time go through linked here swrc2.info/learn-how-to-use-board-portal-by-following-these-5-simple-instructions/ them prior to the meeting. A week is usually a good window to ensure directors have ample opportunity to read the documents and prepare for the meeting.