3.2The Importance of HR Forecasting and Planning

Question 1

The purpose of human resource planning is to:

Answer 1

Reduce costs by helping management anticipate shortages or surpluses of human resources and correct imbalances before they become unmanageable and expensive.
Provide a better basis for planning employee development that makes optimum use of workers’ strengths.
Improve the overall business-planning process.
Provide more opportunities for women and minority groups in the future growth and strategic plans of the organization.
Promote greater awareness of the importance of sound HRM throughout all levels of the organization.
Provide a tool for evaluating the effect of alternative HR actions and policies.

Question 2

True or False: One purpose of human resource planning is to help reduce costs by helping managers respond to shortages and surpluses of human resources at a moment’s notice.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the purposes of HR forecasting and planning?

Answer 3

Coordinate HR programs that achieve the goals no matter the cost.

Question 4

Why is HRP one of the fastest growing and most important areas of human resource management?

Answer 4

It helps the company achieve its goals

Question 5

True or False: Advances in technology have been very effective and helpful to companies in many areas, but because human resource management works mostly with people, there is less use for technology in the HRM area.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

What is the next step in human resource planning once the business plans are determined?

Answer 6

Decide how many and which employees are needed