Governance & Compliance

Board Effectiveness and Evaluation

Effective boards add strategic value; ineffective ones become rubber stamps or obstacles. This course covers how to evaluate and improve board effectiveness: evaluation methods, skills matrices, board dynamics, information flow, meeting effectiveness, director development and acting on evaluation results.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Regular, honest board evaluation is a hallmark of good governance. You will learn how to run evaluations that lead to real improvement.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Evaluation design workshops, board meeting simulations, case studies and skills matrix exercises.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the drivers of board effectiveness
Choose board evaluation methods
Build and use board skills matrices
Improve board information and meetings
Address board dynamics and behaviours
Implement evaluation action plans

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Board chairs and directors
Company secretaries
Governance professionals
Senior executives working with boards
Board advisers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Evaluation design
Skills assessment
Meeting effectiveness
Board dynamics
Action planning

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Board Effectiveness

09:00–10:08What effective boards do
10:08–11:00Common weaknesses
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Common weaknesses (continued)
11:45–12:53Self-assessment
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Evaluation Methods

09:00–10:08Questionnaires and interviews
10:08–11:00External evaluation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45External evaluation (continued)
11:45–12:53Individual director review
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Skills and Composition

09:00–10:08Skills matrices
10:08–11:00Diversity
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Diversity (continued)
11:45–12:53Succession
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Meetings and Dynamics

09:00–10:08Board papers
10:08–11:00Agendas
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Agendas (continued)
11:45–12:53Behaviours
12:53–14:00Simulation

Day 5Improvement

09:00–10:08Action plans
10:08–11:00Director development
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Director development (continued)
11:45–12:53Follow-up
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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