Board decision papers are written documents for board members in order to fulfill their oversight responsibilities and take informed decisions regarding company issues. They should be informative and concise, with a clear summary as well as annexes.
Considerations to assist directors in making the most appropriate decisions on an issue could include a discussion of alternatives analysis (such as methods like Six Thinking Hats), an overview of the key metrics and research data, or operating context and competitive insights that provide a rounded the decision-making process, or an analysis of the effect of each choice on the business. It’s also helpful to demonstrate why management chose the preferred click to find out more recommendation – this could involve explaining the various options being considered or a summary of pros and cons for each, and the way in which the suggested approach scored against the criteria.
Board documents should be written in a formal style that is free of jargon and legalese. This will help keep the content up-to-date and accessible for all directors. Using charts and graphs helps to summarise information and data trends, as well as break up long blocks of text. It’s recommended to read the paper loud or to peers to evaluate clarity and make sure that the main points are conveyed. If you’re in need of clarification on something, you should ask for feedback or other perspectives from the board.
