Strategic Workforce Planning
is Changing
Strategic workforce planning is a repeatable, measurable business process for timely execution of strategic initiatives.
Depending on your industry, the “shelf life” of your business strategy has shrunk to 18-36 months− execution requires co-creating a dynamic business strategy with an agile talent strategy that regularly looks at least six months beyond your current fiscal year. Plans that get stale or organizations that wait to “get ready” for workforce planning are at a disadvantage− it is better to “be ready” to make the most of business opportunities. Best practice refreshes your strategic workforce plan quarterly to keep up with a dynamic business plan.
In a survey of nearly 300 global HR practitioners,
• Only 44% felt their human capital and business strategy were aligned
• 46% of respondents agreed the relevant organizational functions adequately contribute to strategic workforce planning
Workforce planning is a catalyst to break down organizational silos and meet business challenges. Strategic workforce planning is increasingly owned by business units, partnering with Human Resources and Finance, in a collaborative endeavor. It results in business metrics and prioritized talent metrics on critical roles applied as a management tool to drive the business forward.