State of California Succession Management Model

​What is the State of California Succession Planning Model?

The purpose of the State of California Succession Planning Model is to provide clear and relevant succession planning guidance to state departments using workforce planning analysis to identify high risk areas, and prioritize strategies to address the department’s succession planning needs.  Succession planning supports workforce planning by establishing strong bench strength, enabling departments to:    

• Retain leadership continuity.
• Ensure critical knowledge is not lost.
• Bolster professional development.​

​Who should use the State of California Succession Management Model?

The organization's workforce planning steering committee or project team members involved in workforce planning and/or succession management for their organization, should utilize the State of California Succession Management Model.  For detailed information regarding steering committee members or project team members, roles and responsibilities reference the Steering Committee Roles and Responsibilities document PDF | RTF.  Developing a structured team is a task accomplished in Phase 1 of the State of California Workforce Planning Model.​​

When should an organization use the State of California Succession Management Model?

The State of California Succession Management Model begins in Phase 3 of the State of California Workforce Planning Model. By  Phase 3, you will have accomplished the following critical tasks:

• Set the strategic direction.
• Gathered and analyzed organizational data.
• Began development of the workforce plan.

If you have not completed Phases 1 – 3 of the State of California Workforce Planning Model, return to the Model to begin the process of setting the strategic direction of your workforce planning efforts, analyzing organizational data and organizing the plan.  If your organization is pursuing succession management apart from workforce planning, follow the phases in the State of California Workforce Planning Model and apply the direction specifically to succession management.

​How does an organization use the State of California Succession Management Model?

An organization follows the State of California Succession Management Model by accomplishing the recommended Steps to produce succession management strategies.  Each Part of the model contains comprehensive guidance to assist with successful completion of each Part.  Each Part is structured to provide high level guidance to organization's who have advanced succession management experience, as well as additional detailed information for organizations who are just beginning succession management efforts: 

1. The Purpose identifies the overall objective for the Part.
2. The Deliverable describes the concrete product that will result with completion of the Part.
3. The Steps outline the major actions that should be taken to complete the Part.
4. The Tools identify tools and/or resources that can be used to assist with accomplishing the step referenced in front of the tool.
5. The Detailed Information provides in-depth direction for accomplishing each Step.

 Next Steps:

​For Assistance

Contact CalHR’s Statewide Workforce Planning Unit at  wfp@calhr.ca.gov or (916) 322-0742 with any questions or feedback on the State of California Succession Management Model.