Succession Planning

Evaluate Your Bench Strength Using Objective Measures

Succession Planning (SP) is the process of developing talent to meet the needs of an organization now and into the future.

In order for a SP process to be successful, leaders must think about aligning staffing and leadership needs to current and future strategic objectives.

The Essential Components of an Effective Success Planning Program

1. A purpose — Why is it needed?
2. Measurable objectives — What measurable results are desired over time?
3. Definition of success for now and the future. What competencies are needed for success now and for the future? It is important to define what success looks like in every department and/or organizational level.
4. A way to measure those competencies. How well is the organization’s performance management system measuring those competencies?
5. An objective way to measure potential and identify gaps between current and future roles and a way to create a plan to close those gaps.
6. A systematic way to evaluate results. How does an organization know that efforts to close gaps are working and that the objectives defined in point number 2 are being met?

How Can the ASSESS Suite of Tools Enhance the Succession Planning Process?

With ASSESS you can clarify the skills, knowledge and characteristics required for current and future roles; a dd objectivity in determining readiness for a role and identify gaps and help to focus training and development. Organizations can measure their bench strength and hire more strategically.

Once the purpose and objectives (points 1 and 2 above) of a Succession Planning process are identified, the following can take place:

1. In Stage 1 of the OPL™, an organization will define success for now and for the future.
2. Establish a way to measure the competencies. ASSESS 360, Focus 360 and ASSESS Review all provide ways to measure the behaviours associated with the competencies that have been defined for success, identify gaps and provide development suggestions.
3. An objective way to measure potential and to close any existing gaps. ASSESS Development reports can enhance existing methods of measuring potential, by benchmarking candidates against current and future roles.
4. A way to Evaluate Results. Candidates can continue to be evaluated using the entire ASSESS Suite to monitor progress, enhance development and improve performance.

To learn how to add objectivity to your succession planning process, contact us.