In a recent LinkedIn post, Nick Curum addresses a critical challenge in corporate governance: the disconnect between information presented in board packs and the actual support for strategic decision-making. Curum highlights that while many board packs are comprehensive in detailing activity, they often fall short in facilitating clear, actionable decisions.
Curum observes the common scenario where directors engage in lengthy meetings, take copious notes, yet struggle to recall concrete decisions made. This paradox, he suggests, stems not from a lack of information, but from a deficit in ‘decision-readiness’.
“Most board packs report activity. Very few support decisions.”
This observation sets the stage for Curum’s proposed solution: a structured audit designed to pinpoint the exact reasons why board packs fail to translate into decisive action.
The Board Pack Quality Audit Explained
Nick Curum has developed a diagnostic tool, the Board Pack Quality Audit, to systematically assess the effectiveness of board materials. This audit, as detailed in his post, evaluates packs against 32 distinct criteria, categorized into four key areas:
- Information Quality
- Decision Support
- Governance Signals
- Board Dynamics
Curum explains that the audit culminates in a Results Dashboard. This feature automatically calculates a ‘readiness rating’ for the board pack and identifies specific areas requiring immediate attention and intervention.
“The reason is almost always the same — the information was present. The decision-readiness wasn’t.”
According to Curum, the audit process is designed to be efficient, taking approximately 20 minutes to complete. He notes that participants typically identify several areas needing prompt improvement.
Target Audience and Accessibility
Curum specifically targets professionals responsible for the creation and management of board packs, including company secretaries, CFOs, and governance leads. He emphasizes that the audit is built with their challenges in mind.
“If you’re a company secretary, CFO, or governance lead responsible for the board pack, this is built for you.”
He further encourages interested parties to review the process through visual aids in his post and offers a free download of the audit tool via a provided link, underscoring his commitment to improving governance mechanics.
The Mechanics of Strategic Decision-Making
Nick Curum, who writes extensively on the mechanics of strategic decision-making within large organizations, positions this audit within a broader context of board governance, capital allocation, and the interpretation of management information. His work, as indicated by his follow-up prompts, aims to provide practical tools and insights for enhancing the effectiveness of corporate leadership and decision processes.
“The pack was full. The meeting was busy. But the decisions were deferred.”
Curum’s initiative provides a valuable framework for organizations seeking to ensure their board meetings are not just reporting sessions, but catalysts for decisive strategic action. By focusing on ‘decision-readiness’, he offers a clear path toward more effective governance and improved organizational outcomes.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Nick Curum on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 8, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →