Strategic Planning Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

When doing an internal scan for purposes of human resource planning what questions should I address?

When evaluating your current human resources capabilities for the purposes of human resources planning, what kinds of questions and issues need to be addressed? Here's a list adapted from some material from the Government of Saskatchewan.

Are there any key forces affecting the organization's operations (collective agreements, staffing issues, cultural issues, work/life balance, demographics, technology requirements, budget issues, expectation of clients)?
• What knowledge, skills, abilities and capabilities does the organization have?
• What is the company's current internal environment? What elements support the company's strategic direction? What elements deter the organization from reaching its goals?
• How has the organization changed its organizational structure? How is it likely to change in the future?
• How has the organization changed with respect to the type and amount of work it does and how is it likely to change in the future?
• How has the organization changed regarding the use of technology and how will it change in the future?
• How has the company changed with respect to the way people are recruited?
• What is the public’s (or customers') perceptions of the quality of the organization's products, programs, and/or services? What is being done well? What can be done better?
• Are current programs, processes or services contributing to the achievement of specific organizational goals?

You may, of course, expand this list to suit your own HR planning needs.