Final answer:
The manager should have engaged in succession planning to prevent significant impact due to the departure of a critical team member, such as a Linux systems administrator.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lauren's departure points to a key necessity within organizations: succession planning. Succession planning is the process of identifying and developing new leaders who can replace old leaders when they leave, retire or die. This is crucial, especially for positions that require specialized knowledge, such as a Linux systems administrator. In this case, the manager should have been proactive in creating a plan that would have accounted for such a transition, ensuring that no critical knowledge is lost and business operations can continue smoothly after a departure. This could involve internal training, mentoring, or hiring a new employee before the departure to allow for adequate knowledge transfer.
Mandatory vacation and exit interviews have their own benefits. Mandatory vacation can sometimes highlight gaps in knowledge and coverage that need to be addressed, and exit interviews can provide valuable feedback and insights from departing staff. However, neither directly addresses the challenge of knowledge continuity. HR oversight may help ensure compliance with staffing policies but is not focused on the strategic aspect of continuity planning.