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Here’s my one-page cheat includes a sample of 11 succession planning (SP) questions that can help organizations think through various aspects of their SP practices. The questions do not represent an exhaustive list but provide a foundation to build on. Sample questions include:
- Scope. Based on our SP purpose, what is the scope of our SP? Do we focus on roles at certain levels, critical roles regardless of level, or something else?
- Role vs. Pool. Are there areas where SP will be based on ‘successor pools’ —where similar roles are grouped together and share a talent pool of potential successors? If so, what are they?
- Development. If a successor is on multiple succession plans, how do we determine what plan takes priority in terms of successor development?
Again, this is not an exhaustive list of questions, and the questions focus more on the tactical components of SP. It does not substitute a succession and talent strategy but can help enable it through SP execution. And by answering these questions, it can help you build SP practices that are fit for purpose (your organization’s specific purpose).
