Linking Employee Assessments to Succession Planning

Abstract

Due to widespread downsizing and an aging workforce, succession planning is rapidly becoming a key strategic planning tool for human resource management and for improving government performance and accountability. The purpose of this paper is to offer ideas on the connection between employee assessments and succession planning. After describing links between employee assessment and succession planning, the paper presents results from a survey designed to measure employee attitudes toward career development and perceptions of succession planning at the Nevada Operations Office of the Department of Energy. The paper analyzes how employee assessment procedures can take into account career development, training needs, retirement plans, workforce diversity, succession planning and mentoring programs. Last, the significance of employee assessment procedures for facilitating succession planning management decisions that comply with organizational objectives as well as strategic workforce plans is discussed.