Strategy · HR glossary

Succession Planning

Succession planning identifies how important roles could be filled when current holders leave or move. It assesses potential successors and the experience or development they still need.

Example

A finance team identifies two possible future controllers and gives each opportunities to lead a reporting cycle and manage a small project.

What to keep in mind

A succession plan is not a promise of promotion. Review readiness using evidence, consider external options and avoid restricting development opportunities to a permanently closed list of favoured employees.

Further reading

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