Board competency assessments
For most organisations the Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity to elect or appoint new members to the board. Departing members take with them some institutional knowledge, but they also take the skills or competencies they bought to the board.
A board competency assessment is a very simple tool usually administered prior to the AGM which enables the board to determine what skills the board is about to lose and what skills will remain on the board. By comparing the remaining skills with the skill expectations of the Statement of Strategic Intent, the board can identify what skills it needs to see sitting around the table after the AGM.
These skills can be introduced by way of the appointment process or by way of co-option. The electoral process can also be used by issuing a profile of the sort of skills the board is looking for at the same time as issuing the notice calling for nominations. This won't necessarily ensure the board ends up with the skills it needs but it may help to shape the nature of the nominations.
Tony has developed a comprehensive list of skills a board might look for and also a methodolgy for determing current skills and potential shortcomings. Tony has administered this methodolgy for many boards leading to a governance team equipped to deliver against the strategic direction of the organisation.
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