Step 2 – Develop the work plan
Step 2 – Develop the work plan
Nine Steps to Effective Governance
Developing an annual agenda听
The purpose of the annual agenda is to ensure the board takes control of its own business and plans to address those matters that are essential for effective governance rather than leaving them to chance or in the hands of the chief executive.听
Boards in both the commercial and non-profit sectors develop annual or 12-month agendas as the basis for an annual governance work plan. To develop such an agenda a board might brainstorm all of its significant events and duties to be attended to in the coming the year, allocating a date for each to be addressed.听
Typical items include:听
- preparation for the AGM听
- the chief executive鈥檚 performance appraisal cycle and key dates听
- board performance review听
- financial reporting听
- an annual review of organisational strategy听
- an annual retreat听
- dates for retirement/selection of new members听
- designated dialogue sessions on particular strategic issues/key challenges听
- consultation with key stakeholders听
- meeting with the external auditor听
- review of health and safety obligations听
- review of organisational culture听
- committee reporting dates听
- signing off the annual report听
- a schedule for policy review听
- dates for meetings and other significant events specific to the organisation.
The annual agenda also ensures the board controls its own business and is committed to addressing matters that are essential for effective governance.
Scheduling ahead of time doesn鈥檛 prevent including matters on a month-by-month, as-required basis.听
Analysing and evaluating progress
During the year the board should schedule an in-depth discussion on each of the Ends policies, examining each and subjecting it to a variety of strategic thinking and analysis processes. Ends policies will include outcomes and a statement of the external benefit to be created. This process will serve as an in-depth analysis of the chief executive鈥檚 achievements and will strengthen board members鈥� knowledge about the Ends policies of the organisation. Mission-critical risks and major challenges related to achievement of the desired ends can be added to a work plan for consideration.
The following is a sample work plan. It is not intended to be complete 鈥� each organisation can construct their own with reference to the list of options above.
Annual board work plan
| MONTH | PLAN |
| January | 听 |
| February |
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| March |
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| April |
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| May |
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| June |
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| July |
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| August |
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| September |
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| October |
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| November |
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| December |
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Supporting Material
Annual work plan template (DOC 26.7 KB)
Developing an annual agenda (from Good Governance) (DOC 198 KB)
Sample meeting agenda (DOC 55.5 KB)
