Most board reviews should include a process to determine whether the mix of the skills and experiences on the board is appropriate to meet the current and future strategic needs of the board. A well-structured board survey, with results benchmarked against similar boards, typically facilitates this assessment.
Competencies of individual directors, as opposed to the board as a whole, are often assessed by way of a well-designed Board Skills Matrix Survey. Rigour is added to such a survey if it includes a self and a peer review component. The peer review component helps determine what other directors think of each colleague’s skills and experiences. This assessment will cover the extent to which the skills and expertise are demonstrated and add value in the boardroom. The survey will also provide potential learning and development suggestions for each director.