Strategic workforce planning: from closing skills gaps to optimizing talent
ISSN: 1475-4398
Article publication date: 10 December 2021
Issue publication date: 4 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this APQC (American Productivity and Quality Center) research study is to understand which strategic workforce planning approaches are currently in use; whether these approaches are meeting business needs; and what workforce planning challenges organizations are facing today.
Design/methodology/approach
This study involved survey research with 236 valid respondents representing organizations from a wide range of industries, regions, workforce sizes and revenues. American productivity and quality center (APQC) identified 46 “best-in-class” workforce planners from among these organizations based on their consistent achievement of superior results from workforce planning.
Findings
Best-in-class workforce planners are doing more than closing skills gaps and reducing skills surpluses. They are optimizing talent. Leveraging technology, varied work arrangements and employee development, they assemble the optimal mix of talent to achieve business goals.
Originality/value
The findings provide insight into how best-in-class workforce planners build a strong foundation for effective workforce planning through the distinctive ways they use process, people, technology and time. Organizations that adopt the practices and approaches of best-in-class workforce planners can drive improvements in their own workforce planning process.
Keywords
Citation
Tucker, E. (2022), "Strategic workforce planning: from closing skills gaps to optimizing talent", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 14-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-06-2021-0028
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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