Why Succession Planning Matters
Succession planning ensures that critical HIM leadership and specialized roles can be filled without disruption when an employee leaves, retires, or is promoted. Without a succession plan, departments risk losing institutional knowledge and experiencing operational gaps. The RHIA exam includes succession planning as part of the leadership domain.
Identifying Critical Positions
Not every role requires an extensive succession plan. Leaders should focus first on positions with specialized knowledge, regulatory responsibility, or significant operational impact, such as the HIM director, privacy officer, or lead coding auditor.
The Succession Planning Process
- Identify critical roles and the competencies required for each
- Assess current employees for readiness and potential
- Create individual development plans for high-potential employees
- Provide stretch assignments, mentoring, and targeted training
- Regularly review and update the succession plan
The 9-Box Grid
Many organizations use a 9-box grid to plot employees based on current performance and future potential. Employees in the high performance, high potential box are prioritized for leadership development, while employees in lower boxes may need performance coaching or role realignment.
Knowledge Transfer
A critical part of succession planning is capturing tacit knowledge before a key employee departs. Techniques include documented standard operating procedures, shadowing programs, and structured knowledge transfer meetings during a transition period.
Mentoring Programs
Formal mentoring pairs experienced staff with high-potential employees, providing guidance on leadership skills, organizational politics, and technical expertise that may not be captured in written procedures.
Succession Planning Challenges
- Reluctance of leaders to identify their own potential successors
- Limited advancement opportunities in small HIM departments
- Failure to update plans as organizational needs change
- Lack of budget for leadership development programs
Exam Tip
Understand the purpose of the 9-box grid and be able to identify succession planning steps within a workplace scenario, particularly around knowledge transfer before a planned retirement or departure.