Board members have a lot of work on their plate, and they’re expected to make important decisions. This is why it’s crucial that your company communicates key business information in a simple, engaging manner. This article will guide you through the best methods for writing a successful board report.

Begin with an overview. This is the base that binds everything together in one bite to your readers who are short on time. It should give them a flavour of what’s in store, and the reason why they should take the time to read the complete report.

The substance of your report lies next. Include key metrics and data that are meaningful for the business, and www.boardroomlife.com/four-critical-factors-that-impact-nonprofit-success/ the ones that measure against industry benchmarks. Highlight any milestones or achievements that the company has reached, as well as any challenges that are impacting the future performance. Don’t forget to address any projects coming up that require the board’s approval or financial support.

It is important to include any high-level potential or risk statements the company has identified and their potential impact. You should make them available with a level detail that corresponds to the board’s tolerance for risk.

In the end, you must conclude with your top takeaways and a concise description of the next steps for your company. The purpose of the board paper will dictate the content – whether that’s to inform the board or – more commonly – to ask them for an opinion. This will help you decide how to write your report, and whether or not you’ll need to include a table of contents, clear headings and bullet points for your most important messages, and a summary to analyze your findings.