The ENDS Model provides a simple way of seeing all boards of all kinds as the same. It breaks the subject into components that are easy to explain. Success factors for each component can then be developed independently.

    While most of these success factors support John Carver (“Boards that make a Difference”, Jossey-Bass, 1990), the differences enable the book to suit a much wider range of board types.

    A board is defined as an entity with four parameters. Everything any board is, does or produces derives from one or other of these four parameters.

    By adjusting parameter content, any board can be modeled. The underlined letters of the parameter titles form the acronym (“ENDS”):

Ends/Framework

The high level organizational activities and guidelines that are the Board's main responsibility.

Nurture

Board member work outside board meetings.

Decisions

Formal decision-making within board meetings.

Structure

The components that enable responsibilities and tasks to be delegated.