Why measure ‘Workforce Planning’?
No empirical evidence was found to support the use of a workforce plan, or of how to measure it, and no evidence was found that supports any particular process of planning. Some organisations regard workforce plannng as a cyclic event, and others as an ongoing responsibility. However, we do know that the organisation must have a clear purpose and know the overall capabilities it requires, that workforce planners must collect suitable data (scope and quality) relating to current and required KSA’a (knowledge, skills and abilities), and collect appropriate data regarding the people who have or will bring those KSA’s.
To evaluate a process such as workforce planning, the two complementary ways to assess are firstly by observation and assessment of the planning process and the use of communication skills in obtaining ‘soft’ data. Secondly, an instrument is used that seeks evidence that workforce planning occured, and was implemented. The instrument used to make this measurement is currebtly under test, and therefore is useful as a guide, but not yet suited as an indicator of planning succcess.
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