International Journal of Human Resource Studies

ISSN 2162-3058
2013, Vol. 3, No. 1

Human Resource Planning Practice in Managing

Human Resource: A Literature Review
Lecture : 03

Abstract

Considered being the first and primary practice of human resource management, human
resource planning holds a huge role to play. Theoretical bases of HR planning practices have
been investigated in detail in this article. Authors have made an attempt to cover and present
comprehensive literature on this important practice of HR. The importance of HR planning, its
strategic objectives and factors influencing it are all covered in this literature study. Also, the
study covers HR planning frameworks and models and tells the processes to retain and motivate
the workforce of the organization.

Introduction:

Keeping in view the concurrent situation, organizations are in search of solutions which not
only take them out of perplexing circumstances that are particularly concerned while dealing
Human resource planning seems to be in practice by those firms and/or enterprises which
consider their employees the most essential part of the organization. Organizations usually
become unable to meet the desired objectives just due to the fact that at times of stiff
competition, the moral of their employees is not as that good as it is of their counterparts. The
reason is quite clear to everyone that the employees of that firm are not having that level of
potential or motivation which becomes due while operating at that level in the industry.
However, those organizations outperform in the market which does well with the employees in
terms of boosting their satisfaction level at work through different ways, motivating them
enough to take courage and making them put forth the level best effort to meet the targets.

At times, there are many factors that change the entire way human resource planning is done.
Those could be external and internal factors that may influence the whole process of human
resource planning like for instance, the external environment and the internal one and open
competition in the market, etc. that organization follows and the way through which it aligns
the workforce planning with various departmental planning. All these contribute to design
different policies and procedures in crafting Human resource planning.

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Organizations tend to consistently work on capacity building of their workforce in acute

manner and similarly manage the talent of their number of employees in different ways like
doing succession planning for best individuals so that they may discharge their responsibility
for key positions in future course of time. Therefore, organizations work on numerous
ingredients of human resources planning; one of which is that organizations use to streamline
the flow of communication across the whole organization which in turn not only boosts the
satisfaction of the employees but also adds up significantly to the overall performance of the
organization.

The strategic role of human resource planning not only assists the organization in short span of
time but also in many times to come. Thus it is being seen that those organization which
consider human resource planning as the significant and essential part of their human resource
management, this could turn out to be very helpful in terms of dealing with its human capital
which could possibly make the organization to standout of the competition prevailing in the
market.

Human Resource Planning:

Human resource planning is generally defined as the process that identifies the number of
employees a company requires in terms of high quality and quantity, hence it is seen as an
ongoing process of regular and structured planning. The main purpose of human resource
planning is to make sure that employees have best level of interaction with their jobs. Also, this
planning process confirms that employees are in right number as required i.e. there is neither a
surplus of manpower nor a shortage. The three fundamental functions of human resource
planning include a) labor forecast, b) managing demand for employees and available supply in
market and c) keep a balance between labor supply and demand predictions.

In order to gain competitive advantage over the competitors, Gould (1984) explained that
different advantageous ways are found out using strategic human resource functions, thus
showing that these functions play a critical role in making a company competitive. Biles et al.
(1980) elaborated that organization’s ability to achieve strategic objectives is discriminated by
its human resource in following three ways: cost economics, capacity for effective operations,
ability to take new enterprise and change the operations. Dwevedi (2012) describes “Planning
for future balance by comparing the number of employees needed to the number of present
employees who can be expected to stay with the organization, a project manager should give
more time to the human resources experts to work on that”.

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Jonathan Rice (2011) stated that Human Resource Planning is a long lasting process organized
in a way that properly employs the human resource of the organization. In order to create and
maintain the best fit between the job and employee, planning is given special attention. “The
three key elements of the HR planning process are forecasting labour demand, analyzing present labour
supply, and balancing projected labour demand and supply”.

Influence of human resource planning on organization’s performance:

According to Edwards and Pearce (1988) “Human resource planning is particularly important
for emerging, rapid-growth and high tech business. Mature business in need of new products,
services, markets, acquisitions or divestitures must also plan to identify, attract or reallocate
the talent necessary for revitalization and continued competition”. For satisfying training and
career development needs of employees and fulfilling organizational demands, succession
planning and organization development occupy an important role. If, in case, the in-house
supply of labour is more than needed, this problem of resource rearrangement needs to be dealt
with.

According to Craft (1980), Human resource planning owns a significant role in deciding and
specifying the characteristics of applicants, in order to select the best fit that organization looks
for. Noe et al (2003) elaborated that it is important to rightly implement human resource
planning in order to create the lead time necessary to confront potential problems
and threats to the organization’s competitive edge.

Impact of human resource planning process on employee performance:

Organizations take steps for employees’ training and development to increase their level of
skills and productivity. In a discussion about work force planning, Shantz A. et al. (2009)
mentioned that when employees are provided with specific training about their work and job,
they can perform better and attentively even if there is no supervision after training takes place.
Performance efficiency increases after training. In a study, Marwat A. Zubair et al (2006) have
reported seven variables which positively relate with employee performance. Variables include
selection, training, performance appraisal, career planning, compensation plans, employee
participation and job definition. Sarkodie W.G (2011) has revealed in his thesis study that
proper without human resource planning organizations cannot attain their goals. In different
organizations, along with employees own different skill sets, abilities and knowledge,
organizational resources add to ensure sustained growth and development. Al Ahmadi (2009)
emphasized that performance improvement does not result only from good performance of
system, rather motivated and committed human resource also plays its part which is possible
by successful implementation of human resource strategies.

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Planning – A Business Strategy:

Gould (1984) explained that many factors need attention from human resource professionals
and strategists, they must consider all relevant issues, for example if there occurs any mismatch
of culture strategies, it can hurt the successful implementation of the course of actions and
strategies planned for the future.

According to its operational view, human resource planning investigates all the requirements
of the organization and associated needs of management programs, policies and the resources
that are necessary to fulfill the requirements. Human resource plans set the bases for all human
resource activities. It is commonly taken that human resource planning is the prime activity of
the human resource management. Hax (1985) emphasized the important role of human
resources strategy by mentioning that for sustaining the firm in the long run and achieving long
lasting competitive advantage, HR strategy is important to develop and act upon well-
coordinated objectives and to make certain effective action plans. It is taken as a critical
component of organization’s corporate and business level strategies. HR plans are required to
be flexible enough so that these are made in accordance with business environment for the long
term period, therefore, as far as human resource planning is concerned, it should also be an
uninterrupted and continuous process.

Workforce planning:

Workforce planning is a systematic, well-integrated, disciplined and a continuous process. It is

defined as “The human capital which consists of skills and competencies of the people that
are required to fulfill the strategic goals and objectives of the organization”.

Burack (1985) emphasized the significance of workforce planning by calling it a workforce

stock. Planning for workforce is a central function of the human resource department because
it is the most important and critical task of the overall human resource planning field. Huma
resource planning process makes it certain that right number of employees is available at the
right place at the right time required by the business. Gould (1984) mentioned in a study that
evaluating HR issues help company gain useful insights about which human abilities are
required to implement strategies for successful accomplishment of objectives.

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Biles et al. (1980) described that developing strategies, deciding mechanism, having
appropriate machinery and instrument development are vital elements for success of any
business. Workforce planning is important for smooth functioning, some planning strategies
include making operational plans, making and following mission of the organization, regularly
collecting, processing and analyzing the quantitative data to have a view of company’s success
rate. In order to deal with critical circumstances and sudden situations, planning process should
also look at the availability and use of mechanical capabilities, this makes planning process
credible and fruitful. Business plans and human resource information systems are the two main
information providing sources for appropriate workforce planning.

Objectives of Human Resource Planning:

Butler et al (1991) explain that there is an important role of human resource management to
create competitive advantage for the organization against the competitors present in the
industry.

Manzini (1988) emphasized that all organizational initiatives need an integration with the HR
practices for successfully integrating corporate strategies. When all strategic initiatives i.e.
growth, better customers service, innovative production methods, improvements in after sale
services, mergers, etc. possess an alignment with HR practices and policies of the organization
e.g. with organizing, communicating, developing, appraising, and rewarding employees, and
keeping an eye on the future capabilities of the organization, the chances of successful and
better resulting implementation of strategic plans increase. The HR practices also need to be
aligned with objectives of the organization.

Walker (1990) outlined that “Like most organizational practices, however, the effectiveness of
HR planning depends on the perspective within which it is utilized”. HR planners need to have
clear and precise objectives in mind in order to better execute HR planning process.

Similarly, Ulrich (1987) added that HR planning is recognized as a source of development of

organizational functions based on missions and objectives of the business. With the help of
planning, areas that need better functioning are identified to make them grow and succeed.
“Many HR planning methodologies have been developed and organizations have also crafted

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their own, most of these methods are similar to those described in the literature like: setting up
formal objectives, identifying appropriate organizational strategies and searching for any
innovative HR applications”.

Significance of Human Resource Planning:

Speamerfam (2011) describes that hiring the best talent for the organization is the job of HR
department. Significant amount of planning is required for all this in order to put attractive
advertisement to attract talented candidates. Afterwards, job descriptions and job specifications
are put forward to provide details relevant to the work, the responsibilities to handle in a
particular job, required qualifications, technical and other needed skills. In human resource
planning, turnover rate of employees is also forecasted. Lastly, interviews are done and
candidates are selected to whom training is provided so that they conduct all their job activities
very well. This effective working motivates the employees and reduces the turnover rate of
employees. Also, the administrative activities of HR department such as performance appraisal,
employee compensation management need proper planning and management of all the
functions.

Gopikrishna (2011) also highlighted the significance of human resource planning process by
mentioning that objectives of the organization are achieved when planning is done properly.
Therefore, organizations at first collect data about the goals and objectives, afterwards it
arranges people, resources and other competencies required to meet the objectives.

Dwevedi (2012) defines HRP as a process which helps out in properly performing important
HR functions such as true and timely information is provided about when to do recruitment of
employees. This timely process saves extra cost of company.

Factors influencing HRP:

Influence of External Environment on Human Resource Planning:

“Many factors in the external environment affect human resource planning, including the level
of education, the prevailing attitude in society (such as the attitude toward work), many laws
and regulations that directly affect staffing, the economic conditions, and the supply of and the
demand for managers outside the spectrum of an enterprise. Effective staffing, then, certainly
requires recognition of the internal and external situational factors”.

Influence of Internal Environment on Human Resource Planning:

Internal factors influence the concern for dealing with the staffing requirements for managerial
positions within and outside the firm, it also shows the staffing needs of employees and
responsibility of management.

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Open Competition Policy:

Under this policy in application, the knowledgeable, skilled and competent employees are
identified from inside and outside the organization. Also, competent employees are identified
for potential promotions by conducting performance appraisals. Therefore, instead of creating
any hindrances in career development of employees, this policy guarantees the productive
competition between the employees and promotes advancement of employees.

Linkage and alignment of HR/workforce planning and departmental planning

John (2008) elaborated that usually a five step process is used for creating a linkage between
HR or workforce planning and departmental planning to regulate the current and future
requirements and demands of the human resource. These steps include:

1. Determination of business goals.

2. Environmental Scanning (that includes a workforce analysis, and an internal and
external scans as well).
3. Performing gap analysis.
4. Deciding HR priorities.
5. To measure, monitor, and report the progress.

To establish HR priorities is the main reason for listing the steps above involved in creating a
linkage between HR or workforce planning and departmental and strategic planning.

STEP 1: Determination of business goals:-

For smooth running of business, organizations need to identify and determine their business
goals and prepare government documents including budget speeches and other necessary
documents including strategic and business plans (John, 2008). This is important in order to
understand governmental regulations, deciding on organization’s and department’s HR
priorities and to cope with changing and new emerging environmental trends.

STEP 2: Environmental Scanning:-

Analysis of workforce

John (2008) mentioned that after determining the business goal, next step is to address the need
to understand the workforce as well as to plan about the necessary workforce (shortage and
surplus) with specific skills and knowledge. There is need to undergo the workforce analysis.
Characteristics such as age, gender, skills, competencies, etc. are vital to look at, also some
internal factors such as eligibility criteria, vacancy, turnover rate, etc. are significant for
conducting workforce analysis.

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Internal scanning

According to John (2008) internal scan mainly looks at identifying the factors that have an
effect on the organization’s work force capabilities necessary to meet the departmental goals.
Barret et al. (2006) mentioned that internal analysis gives attention to workforce trends
including their age distribution, and portion of positions filled by internal candidates.

Each department is responsible for identifying the internal opportunities and challenges. It is
necessary for the organization to make and retain strengths to face and reduce the risks and
challenges to attain success.

External scanning

Barnard et al. (2006) advised that external analysis should not be a time consuming process.
All the potential changes that may occur and their influences may be reviewed by the planning
team. Also, team should look at the how the changes impact the organization, its work and
recruitment and selection patterns, process of training, retaining and developing the required
workforce.
STEP 3: Performing gap analysis:-

John (2008) explained how to recognize the business goals and requirements and how these
may help forecast the future hiring needs, in terms of the number of employees, skills, and
work experiences required.

On the basis of departmental goals, priorities and environmental scanning, McGraw-Hill

Ryerson (2000) determined the current and future HR requirement. Following questions are
found to be helpful in identifying the HR needs and requirements for gap analysis.
1. Do the organization have succession plans for critical positions?
2. In order to bring changes in delivery system, do acquiring new skills necessary?

STEP 4: Deciding HR priorities to help achieve departmental goals:-

McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2000) explained that after looking at the results of gap analysis, some
HR priorities must be decided and strategies to attain the desired outcomes should be developed
that must be acknowledged by the department.

STEP 5: Measuring, Monitoring, and Reporting the progress:-

John (2008) mentioned that while evaluating the progress of the targeted area, monitoring,
assessing and presenting the results of HR performance is highly critical. It brings
improvements in the skills, and capabilities of the employees and organizational learning so as
to meet the future needs and demands.

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Developing and Retaining Staff Strategies:

Developing a Talent Pool: Capacity building

If an organization wants to meet future needs and requirements then the employees must
be capable to perform. It would become possible only when the employees are committed
to continuous learning and development and are ready to avail the career development
opportunities.

Learning and development is not only important to get the competitive benefit but also it is
necessary to boost talent and delivery of best services and performances. John (2008)
explains that in order to retain the top talent and to deliver the best services there should be
access to the learning as well as knowledge and skill enhancement programs by performing
the challenging tasks because when challenging tasks are assigned, employees will struggle
more and try to find new knowledge related to assigned task. This will enhance their
knowledge and skills, and increase their confidence.

Relationship building:
Providing a significant learning opportunities using a sense of real work is the main ingredient
of this activity. For example, organization may consider arranging such programs in different
work departments including:

 Apprenticeships
 Internships
 Workshops
 Part time employment

Assignment opportunities:

Employees get the opportunity to work in the other departments of the organization where the
work is different and also there is a need of an employee to complete it. Such opportunities are
known as reassignment opportunities. Employers’ requirements are also fulfilled this way and
also offers at hand learning opportunities to the employees.

Barnard et al. (2006) said that participating in formal succession planning and development
programs does not a guarantee employee replacement. Candidates need to face competition on
open positions. Succession planning goals may be short term or long term. Following are the
factors that measure succession planning:
Presence of diversified and qualified pool of talent
 Leaders’ effectiveness is developed through the process
 The succession planning and the department’s workforce planning processes should be
integrated.

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Work Environment:

Work environment is an important factor to consider while developing and implementing

staffing strategies. It enhances the level of employee motivation and their satisfaction with the
job. Work environment and employee performance are directly related. Quality of performance
and commitment enhances if good quality work environment is provided to employees. Also,
is reduces absenteeism from and job stress (Lowe et al., 2002).

Leadership:

Leadership is considered a crucial feature of organizational performance. Employee

performance enhances if appropriate leadership is practiced, the behavior of leader is
motivational factor which leads employees to work best and make leaders get the best
performance from the employees. Intellectual leadership make leaders do the best efforts in
company’s favor, do their duty ethically as they visualize the future outcomes of their work.
Integration between employees working patterns and achievement of team goal is the result of
good governance and effective leadership efforts.

Some people opine that effective leadership positively influence the performance of company.
It is the result of high performance of employees that the overall performance of the
organization enhances and the goals are achieved in their due time. In last fifty years, many
leadership theories have been put forward that are found to have an influence on the
effectiveness of the organizations where they were employed. It is very important in this age
of global competition between the businesses that organizations use such leadership styles that
best enable organizations to cope with the dynamic nature of environment. Many researchers
have acknowledged that employee performance and leadership are directly related and if
leadership phenomenon is ignored, companies suffer with bad results (Oluseyi et al., 2009).

Communication:

The transfer of messages or information between employees is known as communication. Job

satisfaction of workers is strongly influenced by the level and way of communication between
the employees. Effective communication, an important and necessary element of the
organizational environment, results in informed employees about the challenges of the industry,
i.e. what is happening in the industry and at workplace and what is the firm's strategic intent. To
make employees able to communicate their concerns, needs and frustrating matter, is the duty
of management of the firm by providing support systems. Proper strategic work needs to be
done for this purpose. Job satisfaction and openness are directly related as identified in many
studies on communication (Tourani et al., 2012). Effective communication in the organization
also makes a significant addition in implementating organizations’ strategic plans (Ince et al.,
2011).

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Organizational effectiveness:

Structure, process and position description:

For smooth performance of business practices and processes and for describing work positions,
organizational structures are developed. These structures guarantee the effective application of
the departmental programs and services. The structures are established to organize work into
smaller units, teams, divisions, branches, sectors and departments etc.
Also, business practices are designed in an effective manner to get maximum efficiency and
effectiveness from strategy implementation in different programs and departments.
Descriptions are added as well to recognize and clarify the roles and responsibilities of workers.
Under sound human resource practices, decisions about organization's mission, the design of
work and business practices are taken.

Diversity in information and communication technologies have changed the way organizations
are structured and managed. De-layering the hierarchies, creating team-based networks and
multidisciplinary approaches, shift from a narrow to a broad-based mindset, more attention
towards alliances and partnerships, creating interdependent units rather than designing
independent activities and horizontal organizational structures that are more elastic and
responsive in service delivery are some of the key new design elements of communication
structure. The results of better organizational design and business processes contain faster
response time, larger spans of control and an increased range of assignments and roles, which
is good to enhance employee engagement and productivity (Jhon, 2008).

Development and integration of talent management program:

Talent management is not only about attracting and retaining the talent. But is also aims at
conducting research and development activities, implementing a range of human resource
initiatives and working to manage these initiatives. Important and critical problems of human
resource management are solved by integrating talent management programs with them.
Internal talent pool of current employees is created by talent management programs and
activities and it also helps to attract external talent pool of capable candidates. Along with the
compensation, many other factors influence this attraction and retention process. This process
gives the benefits as well which are:

Enhanced employee productivity

Supports effective planning of workforce
offers career development and management programs to employees
Supports the work engagement efforts of employees.
Results in talent development and making talent sources accessible to the organization
that can be trusted when necessary (Jhon, 2008).

Uses of HRP process:

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HRP is possibly one of the most critical elements that link the work of the human resources in
achievement of business objectives of the organization. It is significant to note that few aspects
of human resource management give results for strategic plans and activities (Richard G.,
1984). Particularly, human resource policies from human resource planning are required for
other areas’ policy development and implementation. For this, integration of human resource
planning activities and strategic planning is required (kochan et al., 1985).

It is evident that human resource planning is gaining importance in the business community.
Because of inflation and weak economic conditions, profits are shrinking, effective human
resource planning process is considered much important to enhance production without
wastage and with minimum staff requirements to save costs (Georg et al., 1980).

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