| Effective succession planning is a systemic approach within the culture of the organization that builds leadership within the workforce, recognizing talent in individuals early on, so resources on workforce development are appropriately spent on potential successors and have a greater return on investment for the organization. (Ibarra 2016 )Succession planning needs to be better understood by governing boards in order for a smooth transition to occur in vacant upper management positions in local government. Succession planning is critical for municipalities to continue to function at full capacity, with seamless transition, in the event a municipal manager leaves that position.;This thesis explored local government, public sector leadership, private sector leadership, management styles, challenges in local government and research on succession planning practices. Pennsylvania municipal managers were surveyed on attitude, knowledge and beliefs of succession planning as well as ability to complete job duties effectively. A series of case studies of municipalities from throughout the U.S. was also compiled. A comparison of survey and case study results. A comparison survey and case study r to the research was made to provide practical recommendations for the development of succession plans across Pennsylvania's municipal governments. Today, we can educate our professionals to manage our local governments in many ideals. Leland (2012) thinks, "Public officials also are often reluctant to take on additional tasks and assume succession issues because they view them as beyond their scope of work. In order to sustain the performance of the organization, local government leaders must begin to systematically replace talent. This thesis found that while theoretical support for succession planning exists at the local government level, the practical application of theory and process is poorly executed. |
