Board documents are a critical source of information that informs the key decisions that keep companies on track. A board member may be overwhelmed by too many details and this can cause poor decision-making. However a board with limited information board documents may not be able to grasp important insights or lose control of their business. To avoid this, the board members should have access to precise and comprehensive information that is well-organized and easy to digest. This article will provide best practices for creating effective documents for boards that meet these requirements.

Effective board papers contain the most current and relevant information that directly relates to the strategic decisions to be made. They are concise, simple and have a formal business style. They do not use jargon or technical terms. Boards comprise different backgrounds, so the information should be tailored to the individual directors requirements. Marketing jargon for example is not relevant to finance professionals. If you’re creating board documents Try to include a glossary of terms that covers any specialized words or acronyms to ensure clarity for all users.

The board must also establish its own standards and guidelines for the creation of documents. This includes the use of an outline template and preferred choices for fonts, and the creation of an appendix sharing sources or providing additional details. The board should also set the rules for a meeting’s quorum, and the number of directors required to be present at the. This will ensure that all directors have the opportunity to take part and be heard.

Boards should distribute the documents for board meetings in advance so that they have enough time for directors to read them before the meeting. A week is a great time to allow directors enough time to study and prepare for the meeting.