How to Conduct a Board Self-Assessment

Board Self-Assessment

It is important to take a look at the board in its entirety. There is no one who is responsible for overseeing a board. Self-assessments for boards are an integral part of the governance process for boards and aid in ensuring that boards can successfully fulfill their role as leaders in turbulent times.

Effective assessments pinpoint strengths in governance and areas where the board can enhance its performance to better meet its governance obligations. They can provide valuable insights which will guide the board’s attention and efforts for the next year. A board can make use of an online tool that is commercially available or seek the help of an expert to conduct its own assessment. The Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire is a suitable choice for a variety of non-profit organizations. It was created by the Center in 2009 and has been used by thousands of board members in the US and abroad since then.

We suggest that you first determine the scope of your evaluation should you decide to conduct it yourself. Many boards decide to evaluate the whole board, the board’s the leadership, or just individual committees. Clarity about the assessment’s goal and procedure is vital for a successful outcome.

Once you have determined the scope of your assessment Consider involving an impartial third party to facilitate the process. A knowledgeable facilitator will be able to guide the discussion and ensure that all board members feel confident in providing honest feedback.

Some boards decide to compare their self-assessment outcomes against the results of other health systems or hospitals. However, due to significant differences in structure, size, and the scope of authority, many databases don’t offer apples-to -apples comparisons.

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