The formation of a new committee to conduct a review or study is typically prompted by the need to address emerging or complex issues that existing committees may not have the capacity, expertise, or focus to handle effectively. Key reasons include:
- The issue may be too complex or significant for current committees to manage without distraction from their other duties, necessitating a dedicated committee to ensure proper oversight and attention
- Boards may want to send a clear message to stakeholders that they are taking a particular issue seriously, such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters or cybersecurity risks, by establishing a specialized committee
- Existing committees might be reimagined or expanded in mandate, but sometimes the creation of a new committee is necessary when the topic requires focused expertise or a broader strategic approach
- Practical considerations such as whether the board has enough members with the right skills and the bandwidth to take on additional responsibilities also influence the decision to form a new committee
- In research or healthcare settings, new committees may be formed to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, improve quality assurance, or streamline review processes for complex, multicenter studies, as seen with the establishment of multicentre research ethics committees to reduce administrative burdens and standardize ethical review
In summary, new committees are created primarily to provide focused, expert oversight on emerging or complex issues that existing committees cannot adequately address, to comply with regulatory or ethical standards, and to demonstrate organizational commitment to key priorities
