Board members have a lot of work on their plates, and they’re required to make crucial decisions. This is the reason it’s essential that your company communicates its key business information in a concise and engaging manner. This article will walk you through the best practices for writing the best board reports.

Start with an overview. This is the sauce that binds everything into one quick spoonful for your time-poor audience. It will give them a taste of what’s to come, and why they should take the time to read through the full report.

Then, you must present the meat of your report. Include important metrics and data that are meaningful to the business, including those that compare to industry benchmarks. Highlight any milestones and achievements that the company has made and also any issues which could affect the future performance. Be sure to mention any projects coming up that require approval of the board or financial support.

It is also important to include any high-level opportunities or risk statements that the company has identified and the potential impact they could have. They should be presented with a level of www.boardroomlife.com/four-critical-factors-that-impact-nonprofit-success/ detail that corresponds to the board’s tolerance for risk.

It is important to conclude with your main takeaways and a clear description about the next steps the business must take. The purpose of the report will determine the contents whether it’s to inform the board, or – more commonly – to request a decision. This will determine the format of the report, for instance, whether you need a table-of-contents, clear headings, and bullet points to convey your main messages.