An in-depth evaluation of succession planning and management in health care.

Abstract

This descriptive case study explored, in-depth, the succession planning and management programs in health care organizations in the State of Minnesota. The purpose was to evaluate the extent to which succession planning and management programs are used in these organizations. Review of the literature showed that health care is well behind other businesses and industry in their succession planning efforts. To evaluate the efforts in these health care organizations, ten in person interviews were conducted with administrative and human resource leaders from member organizations of the Minnesota Medical Management Group Association. Participants were asked about succession planning and management programs within their organizations, how they prepared individuals for advancement within the organization, future challenges and opportunities and any critical incidents or personal experiences they had with succession planning. These interviews were then transcribed and evaluated for any themes. There were five major themes identified through analysis. Upon evaluation of those themes, the identified challenges that these organizations faced, mirror those outlined in the literature review. There appears to be a lack of coordinated succession planning efforts across health care organizations. In order to make improvements and develop strong succession planning programs in their organizations, it will be necessary to identify the competencies needed by individuals to take organizations forward in an uncertain future, openly and constantly communicate employees' strengths and areas for improvement, deepen their planning efforts past the highest level of the organization and continuously evaluate the changing needs of the organization among senior leadership to ensure alignment with succession planning efforts.