A maturity score for board members is a tool to help to assess https://healthyboardroom.com/ how your board manages itself. Its objective is to help board members improve their performance and make the company more efficient. The process usually involves a self-administered test followed by a discussion with consultants who interpret the results. Most models use a scale of three to five levels to assess the various aspects of the board’s performance. The first level is characterised by impromptu procedures that do not have formal standards or alignment, while the third and the second levels have more well-defined and documented processes.

The most important aspect of any maturity model is how it is designed to prioritize learning for your board. Knowing your board’s maturity level allows you to easily determine what skills you need to acquire next. Some models include generalized estimates of the time it will take to go up a level (e.g. “a level change can take around six months and an increase of 25% in productivity”).

Most boards begin at the bottom of the maturity scale those who are grudgingly obedient who are aware of their responsibilities and personal exposure. They are reluctant to dedicate more time and resources than is needed to governance because they are unable to focus on their actual tasks of managing.

They must recognize that governing, a distinct, different and a completely different job is not the same as executive management. It requires a completely separate level of professional development assessment, evaluation, and funding. It’s a risky endeavor that challenges your thinking, understanding and willingness to take calculated risks in the complex and interconnected external world of politics and economics.