Succession Planning for Leaders Training

Day 1: Introduction to Succession Planning & Strategic Context
Theme: Understanding the Foundation of Succession Planning
• Definition and importance of succession planning
• Evolution of succession planning in modern organisations
• Link between succession planning and business strategy
• Identifying critical roles and business-critical positions
• Workforce planning and future organisational needs
• Key challenges in succession planning (retention, ageing workforce, skills gaps)
• Governance and leadership accountability in succession planning
Practical Session:
• Mapping critical roles within participants’ organisations
• Identifying succession risks and vulnerabilities

Day 2: Talent Identification & Competency Frameworks
Theme: Identifying and Defining Future Leaders
• Understanding talent pools and leadership pipelines
• High-potential (HiPo) identification criteria
• Competency frameworks and leadership models
• Defining success profiles for critical roles
• Performance vs potential matrix (9-box grid)
• Diversity and inclusion in succession planning
• Avoiding bias in talent identification
Practical Session:
• Developing a competency framework for a key role
• Using the 9-box grid to assess talent

Day 3: Talent Assessment & Development Strategies
Theme: Assessing and Developing Leadership Capability
• Tools for assessing leadership potential (assessment centres, psychometrics)
• Performance appraisal systems and talent reviews
• Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
• Leadership development programmes and career pathways
• Coaching, mentoring, and job rotation
• Knowledge transfer and retention strategies
• Managing underperformance in succession pipelines
Practical Session:
• Designing an Individual Development Plan (IDP)
• Conducting a talent review session simulation

Day 4: Succession Planning Models & Implementation
Theme: Building and Executing Succession Plans
• Types of succession planning models (short-term vs long-term)
• Creating succession charts and talent maps
• Risk assessment and contingency planning
• Integration with HR systems and performance management
• Digital tools and software for succession planning
• Stakeholder engagement and communication strategies
• Change management in succession planning
Practical Session:
• Developing a succession plan for a critical business unit
• Creating a succession roadmap

Day 5: Monitoring, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
Theme: Sustaining and Improving Succession Planning
• Measuring effectiveness of succession planning programmes
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics
• Reviewing and updating succession plans
• Leadership transitions and onboarding successors
• Building a culture of continuous talent development
• Case studies and industry best practices
• Action planning for implementation
Practical Session:
• Developing an organisation-specific succession planning framework
• Final group presentations and feedback