Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Business Ethics
MGHR6004
Individual Assignment #1
Presented To:
By student:
Due Date:
Develop a succession plan to address the key positions in your company taking into consideration the
following:
1. Identification of the critical positions within the organization with the requisite rationalization
2. Build leader success profiles (Use competencies as evaluation areas)
3. Nomination process of high potential talent as succession candidates
4. Assessment process of and talent development
5. Develop internal talent
6. Measurement of your organization’s progress for candidates
7. Succession policy and management
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Table of Contents
Page 3………………………………………………………............……Acknowledgement
Page 4…………………………………………………………………………..Introduction
Page 24…………………………………………..……………………………..References
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Acknowledgment
I would like to acknowledge the persons who volunteered to participate in the interviews used
to inform the content of this paper. Also, I thank my Supervisor and classmates for providing the
resources needed to complete this assignment properly. I am grateful for my lecturer, Dr. Noel Brown
for patiently and comprehensibly delivering the course material to us. Finally, I thank God for blessing
me with the mental capacity to understand the course content and to complete this assignment.
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Introduction
The company under review will remain unnamed and referred to as Company X for the
purpose for this paper. Company X is a government entity which has branches in all fourteen Parishes in
Jamaica. The succession plan is designed for the branch in Parish Y. The organizational structure within
the local offices comprise of middle management, lower management and the workforce. The critical
positions within the organization are: Parish Manager, Field Supervisor and Finance Manager. The
individuals who currently fill these posts are a mature staff between the ages of 50 and 68 years old. The
Field Supervisor is scheduled to retire next year and the Parish Manager has less than three (3) years
before retirement. Their wealth of experience, knowledge and achievements as Managers have
contributed significantly to the branch producing outstanding performances for over two decades.
judgements to predict labour demand and supply within an organization. The process of succession
planning entails identifying employees with the requisite competencies or those who will soon acquire
such to replace current managers (Gomez-Mejia, Balkin & Cardy, 2012). Gomez-Mejia et al. (2012)
further explained that the technique is designed to determine development needs and pinpoint areas
where there may be a deficit in management-level labour. An organization that has implemented a
succession plan will be in a position to adequately train and mentor prospects in advance to fill
important job positions. The purpose of this paper is to create a succession plan that incorporates leader
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success profiles, nomination and assessment process, talent development plan, metric to evaluate
organization’s progress for candidates, as well as, a succession policy and management.
Knowledge speaks to the technical and/or professional know-how to effectively execute job functions.
Experience refers to both career and educational accomplishments needed to perform tasks successfully.
Competencies include skills, behaviours and intellectual capacity needed to perform a job. Finally,
personal attributes are the innate qualities (determination, sociability, optimism, integrity, etc.) that
attributes as all are directly linked to performance. Moreover, these evaluation areas are crucial in
determining which succession candidates will be the best fit for crucial positions when current
employees leave office. Incumbent employees are usually persons at the top, middle or supervisory
management levels who possess what researchers, Mumford, Zaccaro, Harding, Jacobs, & Fleishman
(2000) call crystallized cognitive ability, that is, a wealth of knowledge attained through years of
experience working within an organization. Overtime they develop competencies, such as, effective
problem-solving skills, conceptual ability, social judgment skills and technical skills. These executives
make up the valuable human capital that fuel corporate performance. That means without them the
organization would collapse overtime. Gomez-Mejia (2012) states that a business unprepared to replace
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outgoing staff may jeopardize profitability and stability. In order to avoid interruptions, it is important to
incorporate an effective succession plan - that includes both mentoring and training - to facilitate the
at Company X. His position is ranked at the supervisory management level. At present, he has seven (7)
Direct Reports. The urgency level to find a succession candidate is high as Mr. Brown is scheduled to
retire in 2022.
Position Criteria:
Necessary education:
The minimum educational requirement for the position of Field Supervisor is a Bachelor’s
Degree in Social Work or a related field. The current incumbent has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Environmental Studies and two Diplomas from the University of the West Indies and
Commonwealth Secretariat. Mr. Brown also has a Level I Football Coaching Certificate from the
University of Technology, Jamaica in association with the Jamaica Football Association (J.F.A.).
Required experience:
This position requires one to have practical experience in community development work,
training and supervisory management. Before coming to Company X, Mr. Brown worked as an
educator teaching CSEC Mathematics and Sports at the Social Welfare Training Centre in Porus,
Manchester for a more than a year. He has been with Company X for 5 years. He served as a
member of the field staff for 9 years and Regional Sports Coordinator for 5 years. He has been in
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his current position for 11 years. Mr. Brown has made valuable contributions to the growth of
Company X. He has facilitated the conception and start-up of various community projects and
programmes, as well as, the establishment and training of community groups within Parish Y.
Mr. Brown is also a team player. He is known for his entertainment and master of ceremonies
skills. He has travelled all fourteen parishes hosting sports and business related events.
Valuable skills:
Effective people management skills
Planning and organizational skills
Time management skills
Good computer skills
Exceptional public speaking skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Negotiation and decision making skills
Conceptual ability
Social judgement skills
Excellent listening skills and memory
Good coping skills
High-level initiative
Adept coaching skills
Knowledge:
Extensive understanding of environmental studies (He applies this knowledge in his field of
work. For example, he sensitizes community members about the diverse effects of harmful
environmental practices. He also encourages stakeholders to undertake projects that are
environmentally friendly.)
Practical knowledge of Community Development Work
Civic and legal knowledge (This information is very useful in his field of work as community
related projects and programmes must conform to Government policies and laws.)
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Well-learned in psychology and sociology. (His knowledge in both fields has helped him to
understand people and appreciate cross-cultural differences. He is also able to work with people
from all walks of life.)
He has a broad professional knowledge. During his twenty-five years at Company X, he gained
knowledge in training, management, business and research which has helped to shape him into a
well-rounded manager.
Role Responsibilities:
Oversee work of Community Development Officers (CDOs)
Give guidance and training to Direct Reports
Give support to community groups under the purview of the SDC (Community Development
Committees (CDCs), Development Area Committees (DACs) and Parish Development
Committees (PDCs))
Compile monthly reports on work done in the Parish and submit to Parish Manager within
stipulated deadline.
Assist with organizing Parish events and activities
Assist with coordinating Yearly Operational Plan for the Parish
Act in the absence of Parish Manager to ensure the smooth operation of the Parish Office.
Role Duties:
Track progress of CDOs with accomplishing targets
Vet monthly reports from CDOs
Ensure that CDOs submit monthly reports within stipulated deadline
Carry out training with CDC Executive members
Facilitate DAC Meetings
Attend CDC, DAC and PDC Meetings
Facilitate the election process of community groups
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Competencies:
Personal Attributes:
Sociable
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Open-minded
Patient
Emotionally intelligent
Charismatic
Industrious
Self-motivated
Flexible
Person of integrity
Knowledge:
Civic and legal knowledge of Government policies and laws governing local government and
rural development.
Y at Company X. Her position is ranked at the middle/senior management level. At present, she has nine
(9) Direct Reports. The urgency level to find a succession candidate is high as Ms. Jane is scheduled to
retire in 2023.
Position Criteria:
Necessary education:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or
a related field. (Although Mary Jane does not hold a Bachelor’s Degree, her remarkable
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community development work qualified her for the position). She pursued a poor relief course at
the Social Welfare Centre in Porus, Manchester and was awarded a certificate from the UWI.
She is also a holder of a Certificate in Practical Nursing which she received after completing her
studies in England.
Required experience:
This position requires one to have hands-on experience in community development work,
training and management. The current incumbent started out as a Youth Volunteer at the Social
Welfare Training Centre in Porus. While there Ms. Jane served as a Centre Manager. She also
worked at the Municipal Corporation in Parish Y as a Poor Relief Officer dealing with destitute
children and the elderly. During her time at Company X she served in several positions:
Community Development Officer (CDO), Zone Officer (Manchester, Clarendon and St.
Elizabeth), Field Supervisor, Trainer and Regional Governance Coordinator. Overall, she has
been working at Company X for over 25 years. She has been serving as Parish Manager for nine
(9) years. At present, she serves the public as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.). It is also important to
note that the current incumbent received the Governor General Award for Community Work.
The most outstanding quality about the incumbent is that she is gifted at moving
people to perform at the highest level at all times. She is always striving to be the best and she
expects the same from those whom she leads and manages. Therefore, to be successful in the
Valuable skills:
Exceptional people management skills
Planning and organizational skills
Self-management skills
Exceptional time management skills
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Good networking skills (needed to create a network with stakeholders in the field)
Good computer and software skills
Counselling skills
Mentorship and training skills
Remarkable conceptual ability
Excellent decision-making skills
Transformational leadership abilities (Influences people to perform at the highest level)
Good coping skills
Social judgement skills
Knowledge:
Wealth of knowledge in Community Development Work garnered through 26 years of
Civic and legal knowledge regarding the Poor Relief Act, Child Care and Protection Act that
Garnered knowledge in social work, psychology and counselling through poor relief training.
Extensive knowledge of working with the destitute (including the elderly and children),
Role Responsibilities:
Manage and oversee the work of Field Officers in Parish Y
Give guidance to Direct Reports
Ensure that monthly reports on work done in the Parish are collated and submitted to Head
Office within stipulated deadline.
Assist with organizing Parish events and activities
Assist with coordinating Yearly Operational Plan for the Parish
Attend monthly Senior Management Meetings
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Role Duties:
Followup with CDOs regarding their targets
Vet monthly reports, travelling claim forms and other documents from CDOs and other
members of staff
Ensure that CDOs submit monthly reports within stipulated deadline
Attend and report on the work of Company X in Parish Y at monthly Council meetings
Schedule and host periodic and ad hoc staff meetings and planning sessions
Report on discussions had in senior management meetings
The current incumbent is a forward thinking, proactive, self-motivated, highly competitive, self-
disciplined, achievement-oriented, reliable, dependable and ambitious individual. She is a stickler for
time and is committed to duty. Also, she is compassionate and helpful.
Competencies:
Transformational leadership abilities (Should be able to influence people to perform at the
highest level)
Exceptional people management skills
Planning and organizational skills
Good written and oral communication skills
Good public speaking skills
Self-management skills
Exceptional time management skills
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Good networking skills (needed to create a network with stakeholders in the field)
Good computer and software skills
Good conceptual ability
Excellent decision-making skills
Good coping skills
Social judgement skills
Personal Attributes:
Achievement-oriented
Proactive
Forward thinking
Self-disciplined
High-level initiative
Self-motivated
Determined
Dependable and reliable
Loyal and committed
Morally decent
Knowledge:
Civic and legal knowledge of Government policies and laws governing local government and
rural development.
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The name of the current incumbent is Ms. Barbara J who holds the position of Finance Manager in
Parish Y at Company X. Her position is ranked at low level management. At present, she has one (1)
Direct Report. The urgency level to find a succession candidate is low as Ms. J is scheduled to retire in
2037.
Position Criteria:
Necessary education:
The minimum educational requirement for the position of Finance Manager is a Bachelor’s
Caribbean (UCC). She also has an Associate Degree in Financial Accounting, Certificate in
Required experience:
This position requires one to have hands-on experience in Financial Accounting. Barbara J has
been with Company X for Twenty-Nine (29) years. She served as a Clerk Typist from 1991-
1999, an Administrative Assistant in the Accounts Department in 2000, Accounting Officer from
2002-2014 and Finance Manager from 2014-present. In 2017 she was recognized as Accounting
Valuable skills:
Excellent planning and organizational skills
Math and Accounting skills (Exhibits high level of accuracy and precision)
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Good computer and software skills (E.g. Sage 300, Microsoft Applications)
Knowledge:
Professional knowledge of Internal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Finance,
Financial Administration and Audit Act (FAA), Public Bodies Management and
Knowledgeable about using the Accounting Package, Sage 300 (formerly ACCPAC)
Role Responsibilities:
Keep Sage 300 cash book and prepare bank reconciliation statements for all accounts within
region.
Keep updated subsidiary ledgers for all accounts within the region.
Prepare Monthly Income and Expenditure statements for all accounts within the region.
Authorize cheques and disbursements, as well as, payment vouchers for goods received or
services rendered.
Properly record all receipts and make lodgments to the respective bank accounts within 24
hours.
Accurately complete and submit financial reports for all accounts to Head Office within
stipulated deadlines.
Liaise with major stakeholders: Programme Managers, Members of Parliament (MPs),
Regional Management Team and others.
Certify overtime claim forms for auxiliary staff.
Update Parish Managers re: Account balances and give input in the preparation of Regional
budgets.
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Role Duties:
Competencies:
Math and Accounting skills (Should demonstrate a high level of accuracy and precision)
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Good computer and software skills (E.g. Sage 300, Microsoft Applications)
Personal Attributes:
Honest
Reliable and dependable
Personable
Keen attention to detail
Consistent
Humble
Achievement-oriented
Self-disciplined
Self-determined
Ambitious
Selfless
Very patient
Avid learner
Knowledge:
Professional knowledge of Internal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Finance, Financial
Administration and Audit Act (FAA), Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act
Knowledgeable about using the Accounting Package, Sage 300 (formerly ACCPAC)
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Office in Parish Y. According to Dessler (2010), there are several advantages to filling job positions
with internal candidates. One is that those who work with them (Employers, managers, fellow
employees, etc.) have an intimate knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. As such, the current
incumbents will be asked to complete a Succession Nomination Survey to select suitable succession
candidates. The survey will measure the readiness of candidates based on their qualifications, skills,
Another step is to assess the development needs of the nominated candidates. It is expected that
these employees will not be completely ready to fill the future key positions. Therefore, they will need
to do capacity building training to develop the necessary competences needed to adequately satisfy the
requirements of the roles identified. Several types of validated assessments including, achievement tests,
situational testing, cognitive ability test, personality and job knowledge tests. For these tests to be
effective they must be both valid and reliable. Dessler (2010) explains that reliability speaks to the
consistency of the results produced by an assessment. In other words, a personality test taken several
times by one individual, in the same way should produce the same results each time. A valid test
measures responses against the criteria that one intends to assess. For example, an achievement test
would be used to specifically measure the job knowledge of succession candidates in the field of
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community development work or Finance. The test should not measure items unrelated to the job. The
results will be compared to the Leader Success Profiles to identify gaps in knowledge, experience,
According to Dessler (2010), “Creating means identifying potential internal (and perhaps external)
candidates for the future key positions, and then providing them with the developmental experiences
they require to be viable candidates” (p. 160). To make clear, it is important for succession candidates to
undergo training to optimize their talent and equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge and
experience to be successful in their future positions. Individual development plans will be designed to
meet the professional needs of each nominated candidate. However, all will be required to attend
management training seminars. Also, the current incumbents will be asked to mentor prospective
successors over a period of one year so as to transfer job knowledge, as well as, to provide them with on
the job experience. After six months, succession candidates will be required to deputize for the current
incumbents. At the end of four months (quarter), candidates will be asked to retake the assessment tests
to track their progress in developing the competences needed for the potential roles. Additionally, the
mentor will be asked to re-evaluate each understudy’s level of readiness for the job position. Each leader
may have more than one understudy. If that is the case, then all candidates will be assessed and
evaluated after six (6) months, and the more or most advanced candidate will be selected. The
employees not chosen will be listed as first priority nominees for future job promotions. They are to
receive a certificate for successful completion of management training and have their employee file
updated to include newly acquired skills, knowledge and training. These incentives serve to reduce the
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possibility of the “unsuccessful” candidates becoming discontent. The aforementioned procedures and
requirements form a part of the Succession policy and guides the management of the assessment, talent
The next step is to measure the efficacy of the succession plan or the organization’s progress
for candidates. Progress should be measured against seven indicators: management positions filled by
inside candidates, average time high-potentials are in the same role, high-potential turnover, critical
position with three or more successors, average years until ready, high potential engagement and
individual improvement (“Measuring success of succession planning” n.d.). The first indicator speaks to
the company’s capacity to fill all management positions with members from its current staff. At present
the office at Parish Y is able to do this cost-efficiently. The only activity that would incur a cost is the
certified management training. The second and third indicators try to measure high potentials’
commitment to their organization. It is said that if the employee has been in a role too long, then he or
she is either disinterested in job elevation or have plans of transitioning to another organization.
The fourth indicator seeks to identify more than two potential candidates for each key future
position. Just from observation, two high potentials have been identified for the position of Field
Supervisor, one for the position of Parish Manager and one for the position of Finance Manager.
Therefore, management at the office in Parish Y may have to recruit external candidates in the case high
potentials are not interested or will not be ready to fill future roles when the mature staff leaves. The
fifth indicator focuses on how long a nominee will take to reach a high level of readiness. There is high-
level urgency to fill the positions of Field Supervisor and Parish Manager. In light of this, succession
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candidates will need to reach Level A readiness within less than a year or two years in order to
adequately meet the requirements of these job roles. The high-potential for the position of Finance
Manager has some time to develop herself. The employee is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in
Finance and Accounting. She will complete her studies within the next four years. The current employee
is projected to retire in the next fourteen years, however, she could leave before retirement age.
Nevertheless, if the Finance Manager does leave before the high-potential earns her Bachelor’s Degree,
she would still be considered for the position because she is currently studying in her field of work and
The last two indicators measure the effectiveness of the talent development plan. This plan should
help high-potentials to learn new skills or hone the competencies they already possess. When all these
indicators are measured the results should be recorded and communicated to members of staff whether
or not the results are favourable. This attention to succession planning will indicate to staff that it is a
priority. This may help to develop a culture where employees pursue management level-positions. This
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The positions of Field Supervisor, Parish Manager and Finance Manager are pivotal to the
success of Company X’s branch in Parish Y. Hence it is important to develop an effective succession
plan to replace these key placers with highly competent and suitable succession candidates. Succession
candidates are not to merely fill a position but to be successful in their future roles. A workable
succession plan must objectively identify critical positions within the organization, build leader success
profiles on current incumbents, include a nomination, assessment and selection process of high-
potentials, as well as, measure the progress of the organization’s succession plan against several criteria.
It is also important for all companies to have a succession policy to guide management and Human
a mentorship programme, in an effort to retain and promote high-potentials (highly skilled and qualified
employees). Another means of shaping this culture is to incorporate succession planning as an item in
staff meetings. In turn, employees will look forward being trained for management level positions. Also,
companies should invest in employees with low level educational qualifications by enrolling them in
programmes and courses to enrich their educational experience. This investment in human capital is
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mutually beneficial as a highly skilled workforce will enhance a company’s performance and
References
Dessler, G. (2010). Human Resource Management. (12th ed.) Prentice Hall Publishing.
Gomez-Mejia, L.R, Balkin, D.B., Cardy, R.L. (2012) Managing Human Resources. (7th ed.). Prentice
Publishing
HR Certificate Institute (HRCI): A Guide to the Human Resource Body of Knowledge (HRBok)
Journal of Global Science. Leadership Success Profile and Excellent Leader Abilities.
http://jogsc.com/pdf/2018/2/leadership.pdf
Mumford, M. D., Zaccaro, S. J., Harding, F. D., Jacobs, T. O., & Fleishman, E. A. (2000). Leadership
skills for a changing world: Solving complex social problems. Leadership Quarterly, 11(1), 11–35.
Northouse, P.G. (2016) Leadership: Theory and Practice. (7th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc; ISBN-13:
978-1452203409.ICE.
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