How to Write Effective Board Decision Papers

Board papers should be clear and concise with the highest level of understanding. Drilling down to operational detail should only be done where it’s required to make a strategic decision. Using graphs or charts to present information or trends is also a good method of providing insight at a lower level. Linking to more information or statistics on a technical level in an appendix is beneficial.

If the decision is a one-time or a continuing issue the paper should clearly state the purpose of the Board document (information only, discussion or seeking the Board’s approval) and include a brief executive summary that clarifies the recommendation. The executive summary should not exceed more than 4 to 5 lines.

The paper should highlight the main issues and risks associated with the proposal. If the risk is significant an effective mitigation plan and www.boardroomofficial.com/guide-to-board-decision-papers/ impact should be determined. Even if you believe that the risk isn’t too high, it’s important to consider the future risks that could result if your plan is not fully implemented or is not achieved.

The document should contain a description of the various options considered during the decision-making process and provide a summary with pros/cons. It should also mention the preferred choice’s score on the relevant criteria. An analysis of alternatives is important as it gives the Board with a range of alternative to consider when performing their governance responsibilities and helps ensure that all possible outcomes were considered.