The technique of workforce planning begins with the process of forecasting which employees will be needed to fill positions in the future.

Some of the conditions that make forecasting critical are that the organization may be 1) experiencing significant growth through demand for its product; 2) looking to expand locations domestically or internationally; 3) experiencing seasonal peaks and valleys; 4) expanding product lines, just to name a few. It is the HR professional’s job to assist management in responding to these needs, whatever they may be.

• Find a current article that discusses the strategic necessity for workforce planning as a critical human resource function.
  • This article can focus on the general use of workforce planning in industry or can be about the use of workforce planning of a particular company.
• In the discussion forum,
  • Summarize the article and post its reference information.
  • Provide an analysis of how workforce planning, as discussed in the article, is a critical component of strategic planning.