In organizational development and career management, what does the term "Career Pathing" best describe?

Career Pathing refers to the strategic process of establishing a structured sequence of positions, roles, and developmental milestones that an employee can navigate over time within an enterprise. Key Purpose: It aligns individual professional goals with organizational talent needs by showing clear progression lines—both vertical (promotions) and lateral (cross-functional development)—required to reach higher levels of responsibility. Benefits: Enhances employee engagement, retention, role clarity, and internal mobility while supporting succession planning.