Good Governance: Are assessments a waste of time or a valuable process?

It’s interesting the response you get when you ask whether a board conducts director assessments. Some say, “Why bother? We never use the results anyway.” Others have a well-established process and use the information gathered in different ways. Board assessments can uncover performance gaps that could be holding the organization back. The central purpose of the board evaluation is to continuously improve directors’ ability to govern effectively.

Organizations and their directors who view board assessments as a positive, value-added experience understand that good governance is a journey, and assessments help steer them in the right direction by revealing what they are doing well and what can be improved.

The board assessment process is a critical step in building a strong board framework. Done well, it provides boards with a fantastic opportunity to monitor their progress and renew their commitment to doing their best work for the organization. Done poorly, it can turn into a routine exercise that tests the board’s patience and creates little or no value. The desired outcome should be to create an ongoing process that leads to continuous improvement in the governance leadership of the organization.

 

continue reading »