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Workforce Planning Basics

Learn the basics of workforce planning and employee retention
Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 5 lessons.
Course: On-Demand
Advanced Provider Andrea Terrell  5 Lessons ·  15m  in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese 

Course Description

Workforce planning is how organizations achieve operational effectiveness, as well as plan for the future. Effective workforce planning not only ensures both short- and long-term staffing needs are met, but also enables the company to launch new products and services, have greater operational efficiency, meet market and regulatory demands, and even reduce risks to the organization. Effective workforce planning also ensures employees are able to achieve the necessary competencies to make their current jobs easier, as well as gain knowledge and skills towards career advancement. This leads to greater job satisfaction and employee retention, reducing the cost of talent management overall. By focusing on learning and development, workforce planning ensures the organization’s people have the right knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of technological and environmental shifts.

In this course on Workforce Planning Basics, you will explore the importance of workforce planning and how it can impact an organization’s ability to effectively operate in the present, respond to market pressures, and seize future growth opportunities. You will also learn to establish foundational goals that are key to ensuring a viable workforce plan that aligns with your organization’s overall business strategy.

What You'll Learn

  • Define workforce planning and explain what it involves
  • Explain the importance of workforce planning to an organization
  • Discuss the impact of workforce planning on operations and future growth
  • Identify the goals that need to be established for effective workforce planning
  • Establish foundational goals that align a workforce plan with the organization's overall business strategy

Key Takeaways

  • Workforce planning is how organizations achieve operational effectiveness and plan for the future.
  • Effective workforce planning ensures both short- and long-term staffing needs are met and enables the company to launch new products and services, gain operational efficiency, meet market and regulatory demands, and reduce risks.
  • By supporting employees in achieving necessary competencies and advancing their careers, workforce planning increases job satisfaction and retention while reducing overall talent management costs.
  • By focusing on learning and development, workforce planning ensures an organization's people have the right knowledge and skills to meet technological and environmental shifts.
  • A viable workforce plan rests on foundational goals that align with the organization's overall business strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about?

This course on Workforce Planning Basics explores the importance of workforce planning and how it can impact an organization's ability to operate effectively in the present, respond to market pressures, and seize future growth opportunities.

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn to define workforce planning, explain its importance, discuss its impact, and identify the goals that need to be established for effective workforce planning, including establishing foundational goals that align with your organization's overall business strategy.

What topics or lessons does the course cover?

The course includes an Introduction, What is Workforce Planning?, Why is Workforce Planning Important?, Establishing Goals for Workforce Planning, and a Test Your Knowledge section.

How does workforce planning benefit an organization?

Effective workforce planning ensures short- and long-term staffing needs are met, enables launching new products and services, improves operational efficiency, helps meet market and regulatory demands, reduces risks, and supports employee job satisfaction and retention while reducing overall talent management costs.