How to Write a Good Board Report
A board report is an official document that is submitted to the top executives of a firm or organization for review and approval. These reports may contain details on everything from financial data and important performance indicators to future forecasts and strategic initiatives. A well-written report on the board can empower informed decision-making and provide effective supervision. It can also aid the business in meeting its goals and targets. But, writing a successful board report requires careful collection and analysis of data as well as clear communication and presentation. A poor board report could ruin the image of a company and negatively impact its success.
When preparing a report to the board, it’s important to consider the board members who will be reading it. Board directors are often overwhelmed and have other obligations that take up their time. It’s helpful to set deadlines for yourself that will allow you board of directors report to finish your report well ahead of time so that board members are able to take the time to read it and comprehend the content.
Board reports should contain visual elements to entice board members and make the information easier to understand. For example pie charts can quickly convey the market share of the company in relation to competitors and a scatter graph can illustrate the relationship between different metrics.
A table of contents can make it easier for board directors to locate information they require and also helps them keep track of the overall content of the report. If your report includes appendices, they should be clearly labeled. It’s also important to adhere to formatting guidelines and use consistent font sizes and styles.