Human Resources planning is a process that identifies an organization’s current and future human Resources need to achieve its objectives. Human Resources planning should serve as a link between human Resources management and the organization’s overall strategic plan.
Since Human Resources planning involves thinking about what needs to be done, how, and when, it requires us to make a series of decisions, including identifying objectives, alternatives, and possible choices to achieve those objectives, and weighing the options to determine which alternative best meets the objectives.
For most organizations, planning processes do not optimally define what will be accomplished within a specific timeframe; rather, human Resources planning must be integrated with business planning by allowing organizations to assess the current capacity of their Human Resources—based on their competencies—against the capabilities needed to achieve the organization’s vision, mission, and business objectives, and to develop targeted Human Resources strategies, plans, and programs to address gaps—such as recruitment, training, and development. These strategies and programs are regularly monitored and evaluated to ensure they steer the organization in the desired direction, including filling gaps in employee competencies and making corrections as needed.
The primary goal of Human Resources planning is to ensure the best possible match between employees and their roles, while avoiding workforce shortages. There is a growing need to focus on the strategic development of human Resources in economic institutions, as these institutions require innovation and comprehensive quality to gain a competitive advantage—qualities that competent employees possess and cultivate.
By Dr. Samuel Essam Ammanoeeil
Professor of Management and Strategic Planning –At Egyptian Universities