How to Write Well-Prepared Board Decision Papers

27 Sep How to Write Well-Prepared Board Decision Papers

Boards may use decision papers to gather the information needed to formulate, interpret and make decisions that will determine the future direction of a business. However, when these papers are not properly prepared, they can be overwhelming in terms of detail and length, resulting in poor decision-making.

The key to a winning board paper is to keep it short and concise. Directors generally have limited time to read through your papers and they may not have the same knowledge as you do. Therefore, it is important to avoid excessive operational detail, rely on clear arguments, not long explanations and use only facts rather than opinions.

A well-structured decision paper starts with the background of the issue that requires the decision, and then guides directors through their argument, focusing on the links to strategy, risks and financial information. This structure is similar to a conventional story, and assists directors in understanding the perspective of your company.

Finally, you must include an assessment of any possible risk that could affect the result of the decision. also highlight whether there are any current issues related to the proposal. This is an essential part of a decision paper and gives directors confidence that the information they’re reading is correct, complete and up-to-date. Before the meeting, it’s best to engage in a discussion with the board members who will be reading the document to ensure all the information and points are taken into consideration. This will allow you to determine what information needs to be included and, if it is necessary, discuss with the board members possible outcomes or alternatives.

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