Implementing a succession plan for a planned leadership transition is usually smoother than an unplanned leadership transition but is can still be overwhelming. The following timeline can help you prepare for the succession-planning process. It should be used in combination with other tools in this toolkit. The exact timeline is less important than the succession of events. Depending on the Board’s available time, the weeks could turn into months. Whenever possible, be sure that the outgoing leadership is part of planning and implementing.