Tips to make the assignment a success

Maintaining contact and establishing protocol for the assignment can assist greatly in obtaining the most efficient and effective outcome for you and your service.

Before the assignment

Determine how you will acquaint the interim manager with their workforce. Ensure you notify relevant staff and key management of the arrival of the interim manager. Inform staff of the interim’s terms of reference, support, reporting relationships and responsibilities.

Try to organise as much administration as possible in advance – it may sound obvious - but it is important to sort out where the interim will sit and an email address as early as possible so that the interim manager can start working straight away!

First day

Agree a project plan and key duties – this will probably change over time as interim managers tend to use their experience to identify extra areas for improvement - but it gives structure to the assignment.

Introduce the interim manager to key management and staff. Agree a communication procedure and show the interim manager facilities and office space. It is important that the interim is integrated into the Council as he/she will work more effectively if seen as one of your team and not an outsider.

Assignment progresses

Maintain contact with the interim manager every few days, an ‘open door’ policy with the interim manager will ensure effective communication. By the end of the second week agree a set of deliverable tasks, please issue us with this information which we can monitor as part of your service.

Arrange review meetings with the interim manager after the initial few weeks; we can also be on hand to attend this if requested. Do feel free to give both ourselves and the interim manager feedback wherever necessary – both good and bad. Ensure any issues are resolved as quickly as possible.

End of assignment

Decide an exit strategy in advance to ensure a smooth transition. APSE can attend a meeting with you to help facilitate this.

Review the interim manager's completion report and carry out a final debrief. APSE will also assess the assignment through an evaluation form and a conference call with the Principal Consultant and the interim manager.