Resources for Federal Transition Leaders
Federal agency personnel responsible for planning and executing transition activities play a pivotal role in the peaceful transfer of power. The Center for Presidential Transition® has compiled resources to help transition leaders carry out their duties, comply with governing statues and prepare a new or second-term administration to govern effectively on day one.
Presidential Transition Information and Resources
Ready to Act
For senior career executives stepping in to serve as acting officials during a transition of leadership or administration, the Partnership for Public Service offers Ready to Act. This 90-minute seminar is designed to help leaders prepare for and understand what to expect in their temporary new roles.
Federal Agency Transition Director Position Description
A department’s agency transition director is responsible for leading the planning and execution of presidential transition activities on behalf of their agency in accordance with the law. This position description provides an overview of the key elements, responsibilities, requirements and competencies of the role.
OMB Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
This Memorandum provides guidance to all executive departments and agencies (agencies) on assisting the Presidential transition activities required by the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, as amended (3 U.S.C. § 102 note).
Agency Transition Guide
Federal agencies face a cascading series of challenges before and after a presidential election and into the early months of a new, or second-term administration. Since 2008, the Partnership for Public Service has worked with federal agencies to promote knowledge-sharing, support collaboration and provide resources to strengthen presidential transitions.
A Guide for Chief Human Capital Officers: Supporting New Appointees
This guide and checklist outlines leading practices and key actions CHCOs can take to build effective relationships with new appointees during their first weeks and throughout the onboarding process to position them as a trusted advisor. It includes insights and advice from current and former CHCOs, appointees and other federal leaders.
Agency Briefing Guides and Templates
Agency Review Teams Sample Table of Contents
Agency review teams that arrive at agencies post-election look for information to help make decisions on certain appointments, including potential holdovers and key career staff, and to develop an assessment of conditions inside the agency for the president-elect. The materials created for these teams should be concise and tailored to three main priorities. Key elements…
Agency “Owner’s Manual” Sample Table of Contents
Materials produced for incoming appointees in past transitions were longer and more detailed than those produced for the temporary appointees who arrived immediately following the inauguration. Referred to as the agency’s “owner’s manual” this material is for incoming appointees. The manual includes a more detailed discussion of the items contained in the briefing materials for…
Agency Briefing Material Deep-dive Template
This document is a template for creating a deep-dive report on an issue. This template may be used to provide a more detailed explanation of any specific component in an executive summary, or may be used to create separate policy-item, budget-item, management issues or other specific item reports. The information provided will be incorporated into…
Agency Briefing Material Bureau/Component Executive Summary Template
This document is a template for creating your bureau/component’s executive overview in preparation for the presidential transition. The information provided can be incorporated into final briefing materials for incoming leaders. If any of the subcomponents of this document require further explanation, use the deep-dive topic template provided here.
Agency Briefing Material Office/Region Executive Summary Template
This document is a template for creating the executive overview for an agency’s office/region to be incorporated into final briefing materials for incoming leaders. If any of the subcomponents of this document require further explanation, use the deep-dive topic template provided here.
Do you need transition planning assistance?
The Center can provide critical assistance on how to organize and execute a transition; help agency career executives prepare for new political leadership; offer guidance to political appointees on the unique aspects of government leadership; and engage with Congress to promote transition reforms. In addition, the Center can offer insights to help incumbent presidents prepare for a second term and advise on the steps needed for a smooth transfer of power in the event that a new president is elected.