Succession planning is a strategic process that ensures an organization can fill key roles by developing internal talent. It identifies high potential employees, provides training and development opportunities, and establishes a pool of candidates ready to assume new roles. Effective succession planning is customized to the organization, driven by line managers, develops candidates in advance of openings, and is aligned with the company's strategic direction. However, succession planning can fail if candidates are chosen arbitrarily without a clear strategic vision or if promotions are not transparent.