Objectives of Human Resource Planning

Human Resource Planning also known as Manpower planning is an essential function of Human Resource Management. It is the more focused responsibility of HRM personnel.

Definition of Human Resource Planning:

“Manpower planning (HRP) is the process – including forecasting, developing, implementing, and controlling – by which the firm ensures that it has the right number of people and right kind of people, at the right place, at the right time, doing things for which they are economically most suitable.”

This definition of Human Resource Planning (HRP) also known as Manpower Planning includes four crucial aspects – forecasting, manpower needs, developing appropriate policies and programmes for meeting those needs, implementing policies and programmes, and controlling these programmes.

Role & Importance of Human Resource Planning in HRM:

Human Resource Planning is of primacy in nature and, therefore, it precedes all other HRM functions. Without HRP, no other functions of HRM can be undertaken in any meaningful way. HRP translates the objectives of the Organization and plans into the number and predicts the kind of personnel needed to achieve those objectives. HRP contributes in the following ways:

1. Defining future personnel need
2. Coping with Changes
3. Providing base for Developing Talents
4. Increasing Investment in Human Resources
5. Forcing the Management to involve in HRM

Objectives & Scope of Human Resource Planning (HRP):

1. To recruit and maintain the Human Resources of required quantity and quality
2. To ensure proper utilization of human resources
3. To predict the employee turnover and make the arrangements for minimizing turnover
4. To check the development of the employees for the achievement of the organization goal
5. To meet the requirements of Organization expansion, diversification etc..,
6. To ensure proper human resource policies.
7. To develop the knowledge, skill, ability and build standards and discipline etc..,
8. To appraise the surplus or shortage of human resources and take appropriate actions
9. To minimize imbalances caused due to non-availability of human resources of right kind, right number in right time and right place
10. To estimate the cost of human resources
11. To provide proper control measures whenever required

Human Resource Planning Process:

1. Forecasting of future manpower requirements based upon specific future plans of the organization.
2. Inventorying present manpower resources and analysing the degree to which these resources are employed optimally
3. Anticipating manpower problems by projecting present resources into the future and comparing them with the forecast of the requirements, to determine their adequacy, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
4. Resource Planning the necessary programmes of recruitment, selection, training, deployment, utilization, transfers, promotion, development, motivation and compensation.

The process mentioned above has presented a very comprehensive coverage of HRP and it has become synonymous with total HRM functions.