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Board Skills Matrix Template

Establishing and maintaining a skills-based board is one of the most effective governance practices.

A board skills matrix gives you a clear view of the expertise, experience, and attributes across your directors—helping you understand where the board is strong, where gaps exist, and how to plan for the future. Whether your organisation is a not-for-profit or small-to-medium enterprise, the right mix of skills ensures better decision-making, stronger governance, and long-term value.

With BoardPro's free board skills matrix template, you can easily capture this information, assess your board's capability, and act with confidence.

What does BoardPro's Board Skills Matrix Template include?

The BoardPro Board Skills Matrix Template is a one-page matrix that lists each person's name, along with their tenure, occupation, and qualifications.

The list of board skills is extensive, and includes: 
  • Strategic planning and awareness
  • Accounting and finance
  • Community sector
  • Investment
  • ICT and cybersecurity
The template is fully customisable and works for a wide variety of organisations, from non-profits to small-to-medium enterprises.

To document your board member's skills and have insight into your board's areas of strength and weakness, download your board skills matrix here. 

 

 

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What is a board skills matrix template?

A board skills matrix is a framework that shows the collective skills, expertise, and attributes of your directors. It provides clarity on where your board is strong, where it has gaps, and how to plan ahead. It enables you to:

Improve board performance: Ensure your board has the right expertise to govern effectively

Identify gaps: Spot areas where new skills or perspectives are needed

Optimise decisions: Balance capabilities to support robust discussions and smarter outcomes

Encourage diverse skills: Include technical expertise, soft skills, and diversity attributes

Assess strengths: Recognise what your board already does well

Plan succession: Use insights to guide director recruitment and succession planning

Use BoardPro's Board Skills Matrix Template to capture all of this in one easy-to-use document. 

board members planning with post-its

Why use a skills matrix template?

Building a skills-based board doesn't need to be complex. A board skills matrix template provides the structure to capture the correct information, measure consistently, and turn insights into actionable steps.

Save time: Pre-built structure means you can start mapping skills right away

Add rigour: Standardised categories reduce guesswork

Stay future-focused: Keep your board aligned with strategy and governance trends

Track progress: Update regularly to monitor growth and changes

Drive action: Use results to shape recruitment, board roles and responsibilities, development, and succession planning

board members around a laptop

What are the benefits of a template for nonprofit organisations?

For not-for-profit boards, governance often relies on volunteers with a broad mix of experience. This makes it even more crucial to understand where your board is strong, where expertise is missing, and how to support succession planning.

The BoardPro Board Skills Matrix Template helps charities, community organisations, and volunteer-led boards:

  • identify gaps in governance, compliance, and fundraising experience
  • map soft skills such as teamwork, empathy, and integrity
  • plan for succession and onboarding of new directors

Download the board skills matrix template and strengthen your community governance.

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Board Skills Matrix Template FAQs

What is a board skills matrix template?

A framework that maps the skills, experience, and attributes of directors to identify strengths and gaps. 

How do I use the template?

Complete the form, and you will receive the template by email. Then, download the file and enter your board's details and data.

Can I customise the template?

Yes, the template is fully editable to suit your needs.

What format is it in?

The template is provided in Microsoft format for easy editing.

How often should we update the skills matrix template?

At least annually, or whenever directors join, leave, or complete professional development.

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