Human resource management practice I also available by michael armstrong

Chapter 

17

  Workforce Planning

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Workforce planning defined

The following definition of workplace planning was 

produced by the CIPD (2010a: 4): ‘Workforce planning 

is a core process of human resource management 

that is shaped by the organizational strategy and 

ensures the right number of people with the right 

skills, in the right place at the right time to deliver 

short- and long-term organizational objectives.’

Incidence of workforce planning

The CIPD (2010a) research revealed that workforce 

planning in one form or another is taking place in 

many organizations.

Link to business planning

Workforce planning is an integral part of business 

planning.

The rationale for workforce planning

Workforce planning provides a basis for a  

systematic approach to assessing the number  

and type of people needed and, having taken into 

account information on the supply of labour and 

environmental scanning, for the preparation of 

recruitment, retention, management succession  

and talent management plans. Workforce planning  

Key learning points: Workforce planning

is important because it encourages employers  

to develop clear and explicit links between their 

business and HR plans and to integrate the two  

more effectively.

Workforce planning issues

The main difficulties faced by those involved in 

workforce planning are the impact of change and 

predicting the future.

Approaches to workforce planning

 

●

Business planning.

 

●

Forecast activity levels.

 

●

Scenario planning.

 

●

Data collection.

 

●

Analysis.

 

●

Demand forecasting.

 

●

Supply forecasting.

 

●

Forecast of future requirements.

 

●

Action planning.

 

●

Implementation.

 

●

Monitoring and evaluation.