How to Write Well-Prepared Board Decision Papers

27 Sep How to Write Well-Prepared Board Decision Papers

Boards are able to use decision documents to gather the necessary information to formulate, interpret and make decisions that determine the future direction of a company. If these documents aren’t properly written, they can be overwhelming in both information and length. This could result in poor decision-making.

Keep your board documents concise and concise. Directors generally have a limited time to read your documents and they might not have the same understanding that you do, so it’s crucial to eliminate unnecessary operational details. Rather, you should rely on clear arguments rather than lengthy explanations and only use facts rather than opinions.

A good decision paper structure starts with the background of the issue. It then directs directors through your argument, focusing on links to financial and strategy information. This structure is similar to a traditional story and helps directors comprehend the perspective of your company.

You should also include an overview of any current issues that could be relevant to the proposal. This is an essential component of the decision papers and will give directors the assurance that they are reading information that is accurate, reliable and up-to-date. Before the meeting, it’s recommended to hold a meeting with the board members who will be reading the document to ensure all the information and factors are taken into consideration. This will help you determine what information needs to https://boardroomofficial.com/preparing-your-nonprofit-board-for-a-fundraising-campaign/ be included and, if required, discuss with the board possible outcomes or options.