Workforce Planning

Workforce planning has never been more important with the demographic challenges currently facing the government and private sectors. In the past, much of workforce planning was left to chance, with agencies accruing a workforce over time that may or may not have met the mission needs of that organization. Demographics change, the need to link mission with performance, and the rapid pace of change within the workplace all mean that it is essential for organizations to understand and utilize effective workforce planning to stay successful.

Strategic Workforce Planning - 5 Step Process

As depicted in the figure below, our workforce planning follows a five-step process that is tailorable to any organization.

We begin workforce planning by looking at the strategic direction of the organization: Are the mission, vision, and objectives clear, known, and in alignment across the organization? Are they right? What are the competencies of the current workforce?

Next we move into the in-depth analytical phase of the project by answering such questions as: Is the organization's way of doing business or mission changing? What competencies will be needed in the future workforce? Which skills will current workers be able to contribute during the period being planned for? What competencies will be needed that are not present in the workforce now? Will the size of the workforce increase? Decrease?

After answering these and other questions, we work with you to develop an Action Plan that is right for your organization. Our support doesn't have to stop there. We can also help you with Implementation, and assist you in Monitoring, Evaluating, and Revising your Action Plan as required.

Well executed workforce planning can set the stage for effective Succession Planning, Diversity Planning, Competitive Sourcing Planning, and Reduction-in-Force Planning.

Benefits of Workforce Planning

• Workforce planning spreads a common understanding of the organization's mission across the organization
• Workforce planning creates an understanding of the demographics and current or future skills-gap within an organization
• Workforce planning develops, implements and monitors an action plan for going forward

Workforce planning can focus also an organization's human capital activities, on the things that matter the most, and make the HR function a true strategic partner within the leadership of the organization.

Please feel free to contact us for additional information about strategic workforce planning at: 703-448-6081 ext. 0