An Executive Perspective on Workforce Planning

Workforce planning is an activity intended to ensure that investment in human capital results in the timely capability to effectively carry out an organization's strategic intent. At the behest of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, RAND developed a methodology for conducting workforce planning-a methodology applicable in any organization. This report focuses on the role of an organization's senior leaders in workforce planning. The authors recommend that these leaders should institute workforce planning as part of organizational strategic planning; provide clear guidance to those charged with carrying out overall strategy; ensure that the right people participate in the planning process; lead the effort-both physically and intellectually; and monitor the results of the workforce-planning process. Finally, they should focus on the business case and act on any viable business case produced. (See also MR-1684/1-OSD.)