Worksheet to Help Your Clients Clarify Roles & Responsibilities
The purpose of this worksheet is to provide a platform for discussion. During the development of an effective succession plan, it is important to plan the transition of roles and responsibilities of key management team members.
In most cases, we can describe our current role and have some ideas about what our future role might look like – but it is the interim stages that often cause confusion and miscommunication.
First, you will develop an outline of your current role – including the results you are responsible for and who reports to you. You will discuss this with your management team and use this as an opportunity to gain greater clarity regarding your position and theirs.
Next, you will work with your team to develop your future state. Once you have fully transitioned into your new role – what will it look like? Will you have the same responsibilities as the current position holder or do you see the role changing? Will you be expected to produce the same type of results or will these change according to your company’s strategic potential?
Finally, you will work with your team to develop the interim state. In most organizations there is a transitions period that can feel a little shaky – and it often breeds confusion and conflict. This is a good opportunity to break open this conversation and talk about how you will begin to change your role, how quickly you will be taking on new tasks and what tasks you will be giving up as others transition into your old role. You may also want to talk about how you will mentor or coach others and how you will be empowering those who will be taking over some of your previous responsibilities.
| 1. Current State → | 3. Interim State → | 2. Future State |
| FIRST, an outline of what you are currently doing – often a good opportunity to clarify your current role and manage expectations more effectively. | You will fill this section in LAST – after you have clarified your current and future roles with your management team members. | You will fill this section out SECOND – with the help of the person that is currently in that role – or, in the case of your own exit from the business, according to your vision of the future. |
Open the worksheet below to get started!