2.2 The HR Planning Process

HR planning is a process of identifying the company’s current and future “people” needs. It involves hiring the right people, creating an environment that supports employee’s work, and develop the capacity to ensure the company’s success.

There are five main activities involved in HR Planning to ensure the strategic goals of the company are met. The five steps are as follows:

1. Review your business goals
2. Scan the environment
3. Identify the gaps
4. Develop your plan
5. Measure your progress

Step 1: the organization should review its business goals and develop governance structures, systems, and processes to support human resources and business planning.

Step 2: the business should scan the environment for internal and external factors that may influence the organization’s capacity to achieve its goals.

Step 3: involves identifying gaps by analyzing the current situation and comparing it with the desired state.

Step 4: the organization must develop a plan that prioritizes human resources to achieve business goals and implement strategies to close the gaps identified in step three.

Step 5: involves measuring progress and periodically reviewing and updating the human resources plan. The article also provides questions to consider for each step.

To learn more about the steps and the questions HR managers should consider see The Human Resources Planning Guide for Executives by the Treasury Board of Canada. 

“Human Resources Planning Guide for Executives” by the Treasury Board of Canada is used in accordance with the Government of Canada Terms and Conditions.