Workforce Planning (Quick Revision)

Question 1

Define: Workforce Planning

Answer 1

Workforce planning is the planning of human resources to ensure the right number of employees with the right skills at any moment.

Question 2

Distinguish between internal and external recruitment. Give an advantage of each.

Answer 2

Internal; is from within the business (you know the candidate already)

Whereas

External; is from outside the business (more choice)

Question 3

State four ways of selecting staff.

Answer 3

• Interview
• CV
• Testing
• References

Question 4

State two benefits of workforce planning.

Answer 4

• Avoid labour shortages

* Ensure production can continue

Question 5

State three possible reasons why a workforce plan might prove inaccurate.

Answer 5

• Change in market conditions
• Changes in the labour market
• An unexpected change in the corporate strategy

Question 6

What is the Examiner’s note for Workforce Planning?

Answer 6

Without workforce planning, managers will always react to events when they occur rather than being prepared for them. This may lead to poor and rushed decision making when it comes to staffing.

Question 7

What is the Evaluation point for Workforce Planning?

Answer 7

The value of workforce planning depends on the extent on which changes in supply and demand of labour have been accurately predicted and whether the firm has taken the right actions as a result.