Measurement | Advisory Board Best Practice Principles

The ABF101 Advisory Board Best Practice Framework™ has been carefully developed to respect and support the balance required between purpose, people and process to create a strong foundation for advisor engagement.

The ABF101 Framework is based on five key principles –clarity of scope, independence and fit-for-purpose, measurement, structure and discipline.

Let’s explore the “Measurement” principle.

Measurement for Advisory Boards

Having the clarity and confidence to set out how the impact of the advisory board will be measured is a benefit to the organisation and the advisory board members. A holistic approach can be taken to best practice evaluation of the advisory structure to identify the value derived from the advisory board and its alignment to purpose, people and process.

Within the ABF101 Framework, the Measurement and Structure and Discipline principles underpin the Advisory Board’s PROCESS section.

Measurement: The advisory board is measured on an ongoing basis for the intended impact and organisational alignment.

One example of an impact measurement tool for advisory boards is the Growth Score assessment developed by the Advisory Board Centre. It can be used by organisations and advisory board Chairs to evaluate organisational priorities, capacity for growth and alignment to the advisory and governance focus areas. Used on an annual basis (or more frequently in times of change or volatility) the Growth Score provides an objective framework to facilitate best practice conversations regarding the Advisory Board’s impact and alignment.

Interested in completing the Growth Score assessment for your organisation?  Contact us.

Importance of Measurement for Organisations

• The advisory board has clearly articulated goals to measure impact
• The advisory board maintains focus
• Impact of the advisory board can be validated
• Impact and alignment of intent and outcomes achieved
• The advisory board can adapt to the organisational needs

Importance of Measurement for Advisory Board Members

• Members are clear on the priorities of the organisation
• Members stay focused
• Members can articulate and validate where they add value

Considerations for Application

• An impact measurement is conducted in the establishment phase with articulated goals for the shift in measurement
• The purpose is linked to the advisory board goals
• Provide clear communication to stakeholders on the intended impact of the advisory board
• A periodical impact assessment measures the organisational result to the goals
• Re-evaluation of goals is in line with the organisational needs
• Re-evaluation of the advisory board and its members

Updated: June 2024, based on the ABF101 Advisory Board Best Practice Framework Third Edition.