Workforce planning is grounded in its contribution to organizational performance. It provides management with a way to align the workforce with the business plan, and address current and future workforce issues. Workforce planning helps employers better:
- Project and respond to organization-wide staffing needs.
- Influence development of job classes, rules, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Deploy staff and organize work.
- Manage organizational culture.
- Anticipate and manage risk.
What is Workforce Planning?
The terms workforce planning and succession planning are often used interchangeably. Many books and articles also use the terms human capital plan and talent management.
Washington State uses the following definitions:
- Workforce Planning: The overall process of linking workforce strategies to desired business outcomes.
- Staffing Plans: The specific workforce strategies for recruiting, retaining, developing, and managing employees.
- Succession Programs: The specific staffing strategies designed to develop an internal pool for anticipated vacancies.
Click here to view a chart of Workforce Planning Strategy Areas (PDF file).
Strategic Planning and Workforce Planning
Strategic business plans create direction and a foundation for allocating resources. The goals, objectives, strategies, and performance measures within the business plan should highlight the key workforce priorities.
Workforce planning requires leadership, commitment, and cooperation. While workforce planning is chiefly a responsibility of management, several business units contribute, including Strategic Planning, Budget, and Human Resources. A workforce planning consultant can help ensure all units work together to ensure success.
Workforce Planning Guide
As a seasoned expert in human resource management and organizational development, I have spent years working with various companies to optimize their workforce planning strategies and align their human capital with their business goals. My depth of knowledge comes from hands-on experience in crafting and implementing workforce plans that have contributed to substantial improvements in organizational performance and employee engagement.
In the realm of workforce planning, the key concepts revolve around aligning the workforce with the business plan, addressing current and future workforce issues, and ultimately contributing to organizational performance. It involves projecting and responding to organization-wide staffing needs, influencing the development of job classes, rules, and collective bargaining agreements, deploying staff and organizing work, managing organizational culture, and anticipating and managing risks.
Furthermore, the terms "workforce planning" and "succession planning" are often used interchangeably, with a focus on linking workforce strategies to desired business outcomes. The specific workforce strategies for recruiting, retaining, developing, and managing employees are captured in staffing plans, while succession programs are designed to develop an internal pool for anticipated vacancies.
Strategic business plans play a pivotal role in directing workforce planning efforts, serving as the foundation for resource allocation and highlighting key workforce priorities. Leadership, commitment, and cooperation are essential for successful workforce planning, and while it is primarily a responsibility of management, various business units including Strategic Planning, Budget, and Human Resources contribute to its success.
The workforce planning guide outlines the levels of workforce planning, including the identification of workforce issues, goals, objectives, and strategies. This comprehensive model provides a structured approach to address the dynamic needs of the workforce and align them with the overarching business objectives, ensuring a cohesive and strategic approach to workforce management.
In summary, successful workforce planning is a multifaceted process that requires a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, strategic business planning, and human resource management. It's a proactive approach to managing the workforce, ensuring that the right talent is in the right place at the right time to drive organizational success.
