Human Resources

Succession Planning and Talent Pools

Organisations need ready successors for critical roles to avoid disruption when leaders leave. This course explains how to identify critical roles, assess potential, build talent pools, design accelerated development, run talent review meetings and measure succession readiness across the organisation.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Vacancies in key roles can stall strategy. You will learn to build a succession process that keeps leadership pipelines full.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Talent review simulations, critical role analysis, development planning and case studies.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify critical roles and succession risks
Assess performance and potential
Build talent pools rather than single successors
Design accelerated development plans
Run talent review meetings
Measure succession readiness

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

HR and talent managers
Senior leaders
HR business partners
Organisational development professionals
Family business owners

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Critical role analysis
Potential assessment
Talent review facilitation
Development design
Succession metrics

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Succession Planning Today

09:00–10:08Why succession matters
10:08–11:00Talent pools versus replacement charts
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Talent pools versus replacement charts (continued)
11:45–12:53Risks
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Critical Roles

09:00–10:08Identifying critical roles
10:08–11:00Risk assessment
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Risk assessment (continued)
11:45–12:53Success profiles
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Assessing Potential

09:00–10:08Potential models
10:08–11:00Assessment tools
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Assessment tools (continued)
11:45–12:53Bias
12:53–14:00Simulation

Day 4Development

09:00–10:08Accelerated development
10:08–11:00Rotations and projects
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Rotations and projects (continued)
11:45–12:53Mentoring
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 5Talent Reviews

09:00–10:08Running reviews
10:08–11:00Readiness metrics
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Readiness metrics (continued)
11:45–12:53Communicating with talent
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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