Succession Planning Is a Business Continuity Issue

When critical decisions, relationships or knowledge depend on one person, an organisation is vulnerable to an unexpected absence or departure. Succession planning is therefore part of risk management.

A thoughtful process identifies key roles, develops talent and documents responsibilities that must continue. Emergency succession should be considered separately from long-term leadership development. Planning for succession does not diminish the current leader; it demonstrates that the organisation is designed to endure beyond any one person.

Why it matters: When critical decisions, relationships or knowledge depend on one person, an organisation is vulnerable to an unexpected absence or departure. Succession planning is therefore part of risk management.