Headcount, hiring & workforce planning · Core
Succession plan
Also called: leadership succession plan
ELI5
A plan for filling critical roles when incumbents leave or move.
Used in conversation
“The people plan needs to explain how succession plan affects roles and decisions.”
Pitch context
You will see “Succession plan” in organisation plans, workforce reviews, change programmes and people reports when the discussion reaches headcount, hiring & workforce planning.
Why it matters: In headcount, hiring & workforce planning, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Sources & evidence · 2
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — BLS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16