Board members have a lot of work on their plate, and they’re expected https://boardroomlife.com/how-to-write-a-board-report-that-delights-your-board/ to make important decisions. It’s important to communicate the most important business information of your company in an engaging, clear way. This article will guide you through the best practices for writing a great board report.
Begin with an executive summary. This is the base that binds everything together in one quick spoonful for your busy audience. It will give them a taste of what’s to come, and why they should take the time to read the full report.
Next, deliver the meat of your report. Include key metrics and information that are relevant to the company, including the ones that measure against industry benchmarks. Highlight any milestones and achievements the company has achieved, and any challenges which could affect the future performance. Be sure to mention any upcoming projects that require approval from the board or financial support.
Include any high-level statements of risk or opportunity that the company has identified and the impact they have on the company. It is recommended to present them in a manner that is consistent with the board’s tolerance to risk.
The final paragraph should contain the main conclusions and a clear explanation on the next steps your company should take. The aim of the board paper is to dictate the content – whether that’s to inform the board, or, more often, to request a decision. This will determine the way you structure the entire report, such as whether you need a table of contents along with clear headings and bullet points to communicate the main points of your report.