The definition of an interim

As we enter 2013 and adjust to what is a new landscape of the interim market, there are varying views and interpretations of what an interim manager actually is/does.

For the avoidance of doubt the Wikipedia definition is as follows; “Interim management is the temporary provision of management resources and skills. Interim management can be seen as the short-term assignment of a proven heavyweight interim executive manager to manage a period of transition, crisis or change within an organization. In this situation, a permanent role may be unnecessary or impossible to find on short notice. Additionally, there may be nobody internally who is suitable for, or available to take up, the position in question”.

This sums up the definition rather succinctly and reflects the nature of the interim market. There are however, an increasing number of new entrants to the market with no intention of pursuing a career as an executive interim manger but merely adopting the title of ‘interim x’ to tap into what is an established market for a short period until they find a ‘permanent role’.

The interim market consists of a relatively small population of executives specialising in change, transformation, restructuring, turnaround, programme management or to fill a gap in the leadership team with the intention of moving on to the next assignment once the agreed objectives have been delivered.