---
title: "Building Board Decks"
type: doc
evidence_type: method
category: "Strategic Walkthroughs"
publisher: "LeanScale"
date_modified: 2023-10-31
word_count: 208
topics: ["sales-leadership", "forecasting"]
canonical_url: https://knowledge.leanscale.team/docs/strategic-walkthroughs-building-board-decks/
source: "LeanScale Knowledge Hub — https://knowledge.leanscale.team"
license: "Free to quote and cite with attribution to LeanScale."
---

# Building Board Decks

**Evidence type:** method (what we prescribe)

A board deck that holds up follows a fixed structure: executive summary, financial performance, strategic goals, company operations, risks and opportunities, and a clear call to action. The summary is written last and carries the argument; the rest is evidence for it.

#### Executive Summary

* Brief overview of the entire deck covering:
* Company performance highlights
* Key decisions that need to be made
* Request for help from the board

#### Financial Performance

* Revenue
* Expenses
* Profits

#### Strategic Goals

* Mission statement
* Vision statement
* Values

#### Company Operations

* Products
* Services
* Customers

#### Risks and Opportunities

* Competitive landscape
* Regulatory environment
* Technological advancements

#### Call to Action

* Clear statement of what the board of directors needs to do next

### Visuals

* Charts
* Graphs
* Tables

### Proofreading

* Check for accuracy
* Check for clarity and conciseness of visuals

### Additional Tips

* Use clear and concise language.
* Keep the slides visually appealing and easy to understand.
* Make sure the deck is well-organized and flows logically.
* Be specific when asking for help from the board.
* Avoid asking the board how they think the quarter went, for help with reporting or data analysis, or what metrics to measure.
* Use a template by department to determine which slides are must-haves and which can be appendix slides.

### Board Meeting Preparation

* Assign a board deck keeper.
* Start working on the deck well in advance of the meeting.
* Have a data one-pager readily available.
* Focus on the story and decisions that need to be made.
* Do a dry run with the team.
* Send out the deck well ahead of time.

## Canonical

https://knowledge.leanscale.team/docs/strategic-walkthroughs-building-board-decks/