A well-written report on the board can help a board committee communicate effectively with the entire board. Effective reports require careful review of how to format the content and how best to present it so that board members have the information they need to make the right decisions for the organization.

While writing a report for a board may be challenging for some, with the proper approach it is possible to write engaging and informative committee reports that assist in informed decision-making and efficient oversight. Here are a few of the essential elements to consider when preparing a board report.

1. It is essential to clearly define the goal of your report, says Barbara Anderson, non-executive director and chair on four different boards. This is crucial to the success of a board paper and will tell your busy readers whether you’re writing to ask for their input, or inform them about your plans or ask them to make a decision.

2. Avoid using a lot of technical language and be sure of the meaning of the information you share. Board members are busy and will be reading your report prior to the meeting to formulate their questions. They must be able to comprehend the information quickly.

3. Analyze and interpret the data you provide. Data alone does not tell a story; it must be presented with analysis and interpretation to give an understanding to the numbers. This will help your board members to comprehend the positives and weaknesses the company faces.

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