Sample CEO Succession Process

In brief: This sample CEO succession process originally appeared in NACD’s 2014 publication Success at the Top: CEO Evaluation and Succession. The template includes a sample executive evaluation form and rating scale for assessing internal CEO candidates. 

This resource can help your board to

• Determine criteria or qualifications for the CEO’s successor.
• Identify possible candidates for succession.
• Access the capability and potential of possible successors.
• Create development action plans for potential candidates.
• Review the progress of potential candidates.

Most relevant audiences: CEOs, nominating and governance committee members, and compensation committee members