Does the board set standards for its own performance?
Have the board’s expectations for individual director performance been documented and made available to all directors?
Does it assess itself against those expectations at least annually?
If not, has it at least articulated the reasons why not and considered those objectively?
Policy-based evaluation
Does it translate the conclusions of its assessment into an explicit board performance development plan and professional development initiatives for individual directors?
Does the board review the effectiveness of individual board members?
If it does not, has the board considered why it would want to effectively deprive board members of the chance to understand how they might improve their contribution to the board?
What leadership style is adopted by the chair?
Does that get the best out of the board and the chief executive?
Has the board explicitly set out its expectations of the chair?
Does the board get a regular opportunity to provide feedback to the chair on his/her effectiveness?
What would the board like to see more of from its chair?
What does the board wish he/she would do differently?
What actions does the board take that help or hinder the chair?
Does the present composition of the board provide the range of competencies and experience needed to provide the standard of governance the organisation requires?