How a board functions in the way it organizes meetings, looks at problems, creates reports and handles data - changes over time. The board members don't know this however a maturity model can help them monitor their improvement.

A maturity assessment of the board is more comprehensive and thorough than an annual review. These assessments also give boards the ability to clearly guide them to the next level of governance maturity.

The majority of boards begin at the bottom of maturity in management. These are unwillingly compliant boards that recognise their responsibilities and public image, but view governance as an overriding burden on their 'proper duties of managing the company. The first step is to move the board away from viewing governance as an administrative burden and to develop home competency in strategic thinking.

Models of maturity usually comprise of three to five levels which evaluate the effectiveness of governance techniques within a company. They evaluate domains like control of risk board management stakeholder engagement, the effectiveness of governance. The first level is usually defined by impromptu process without formal standards or alignment, whereas the third and second levels are more firmly documented methodologies. These methodologies can include interviews, questionnaires or benchmarking. Interviews can reveal the team's enthusiasm and dedication to a specific process healthyboardroom.com as well as surveys administered by an independent third party are more systematic. They also provide a more balanced view of the board's current maturity level.