All areas are important. If you are to contribute something new, you need to ask good questions. You can test your board based on the questions they regularly ask during board meetings:

Firstly can you test how many of the 5 mentioned areas your board regularly asks questions about.

Secondly you can test whether the board's questions are only based on the known framework (in the box questions) or inspire to think outside/redefine the framework (out of the box questions).

Good boards cover all 5 areas with "in the box" questions. The best boards cover all 5 areas with both "in-" and "out of the box" questions.

The test consists of 2 questions (one "in" and one "out of the box" question) for each of the 5 areas (10 questions in total) where the board can contribute. You simply complete the test by asking the following:

Do I regularly hear this question at board meetings?

If the answer is "yes", the question is marked with a "+". If the answer is "no", mark it with a "-".

What does the test say about your board's contribution, strengths and weaknesses?

1. Operational performance
   In the box: How is the operation performing?
   Out of the box: Which operational key figures are the most important?
2. Strategic execution
   In the box: Are we implementing the strategic projects as agreed?
   Out of the box: What are the most important strategic priorities right now?
3. Market opportunities and potential
   In the box: How do we increase sales?
   Out of the box: Where does our biggest growth potential lie?
4. Strategic risks
   In the box: What does our worst competitor do?
   Out of the box: In which areas can a single or a few incidents topple our business?
5. Top management
   In the box: How does our CEO perform?
   Out of the box: How do we develop the management team of the future?

How many pluses and minuses does your company get? And are you satisfied?