Workforce Planning Guideline / Steps

28 Apr 2019: Generic steps in Workforce Planning ... 

Definition of workforce planning: 
(i) Anticipating the organization workforce needs
(ii) Identify a processes / steps to build ideal workforce

Step #1: Gather Market Data

• Local employee rate
• Local community / potential workforce demographics
• Who is the competitors
• Global / national social, technological and economic trends
• Global / national political and legislative trends 

Reliable sources for market data and information: News; Industry Publication and Website; Networking Group; Government Agencies (e.g., Singapore Ministry of Manpower, Statistic Department, etc.)

Step #2: Analyzing The Organization

• Report on number of employee by job type / position
• Strategic important / value of each job / position
• Employees' skills inventory, knowledge, ability and experiences
• Teamwork and Leadership
• What are the specialized skill, expertise or qualification required by the organization
• Potential for Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA), e.g., telecommuting, compress workweek, part-timer, shorter work days / hours, stagger time report for work, etc.) 

Step #3: Supply and Demands

• Employees planning or going to retirement
• Employee turnover rate
• Potential for internal career opportunity (e.g., fill a position from within the organization)
• Input from upper management on staff / vacancies to meet short and long term business goals
• Position which cannot be filled internally (long term can be addressed by succession planning program)
• Potential employee who can be promoted
• Availability of potential candidates

Step #4: Develop Your Implementation Plan

• Timeline for filling open and anticipated position
• Job market trends
• Time to finalized job description and recruitment advertising

Step #5: Periodical Review of The Workforce Plan (e.g., Annual or Bi-annually)

• Take note and seek clarification when there are changes in ...

1. Staff ... turnover or newly created position
2. Management team
3. Economic
4. Physical location
5. New products and services

(Source: Modified from HR360, 2018)

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